Is the nano-risk a chemical risk like the others?

Abstract

The emerging area of nanotechnologies possibly offers promise for the future with its focus on preventive design. To gain traction, however, it is important that research on the sustainability of materials is funded at levels significant enough to identify early warnings, and that possible responsible regulatory systems provide incentives for safer and sustainable materials during the life cycle of materials and systems. The concept of protecting human health and integrity is accepted by all. The rules by which society tries to achieve this humanist objective were, for chemical risk, at the origin of the creation of the system of reparation in the OSH (occupational safety and health) which is relative to a given cultural situation in a specific space and time. The possible translation from chemical risk to nano-technological risk is discussed in the present paper. The difficult definition of what is a nanoparticle is a first obstacle on this transfer. A second corresponds to the integration of numerous nano-systems into devices, leading to a more complex way to explore the cause-effect relationship used in risk mastering.