Nanomaterial risk screening: a structured approach to aid decision making under uncertainty

Christian E. H. Beaudrie (), Milind Kandlikar, Robin Gregory, Graham Long and Tim Wilson
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Christian E. H. Beaudrie: University of British Columbia
Milind Kandlikar: University of British Columbia
Robin Gregory: Decision Research
Graham Long: Compass Resource Management Ltd
Tim Wilson: Compass Resource Management Ltd

Environment Systems and Decisions, 2015, vol. 35, issue 1, 88-109

Abstract: Abstract The responsible development of new nanomaterials and nano-enabled products requires that potential risks are understood and managed before harms occur. Although quantitative and predictive tools for anticipating human health and environmental risk are in early stages of development, there is a clear need for screening methodologies to inform decision making related to nanomaterial risk management in regulatory agencies and industry. This paper presents the results of a two-day workshop with nanotechnology experts aimed at developing a risk-screening framework for nanomaterials. Drawing upon expertise in nanotoxicology, human exposure, environmental fate and transport, and structured decision making, participants developed a decision support framework relating key nanomaterial physicochemical and product characteristics to important hazard and exposure indicators. Application of the preliminary nano-risk-screening tool (NRST) to several test cases illustrates the utility of the approach for both identifying nanomaterial characteristics that drive risks and for highlighting opportunities to redesign products to minimize risks. This framework for aiding risk managers’ decisions under uncertainty provides the foundation for the development of a transparent and adaptable screening tool that can inform the management of potential risks.

Keywords: Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology; Risk assessment; Structured decision making; Decision analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1007/s10669-014-9529-y

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