1. Risk analysis and Technology assessment

Theme coordinator: Dr. Adrienne J. Sips (RIVM)

The two sections within this theme are Risk analysis and Impact on society. The objective of the risk analysis is to gather information, which leads to the development of an efficient assessment strategy and to apply this in various research themes (for example, nanomedicine, clean water). Universally practicable results from different studies are applied. In addition to this, the impact of nanotechnology on society plays a key role. This helps bridge the gap between scientifically innovative research and societal impact. The realisation of this objective is a major challenge for nanoscientists, technologists, industry, policy makers, and societal parties. An interdisciplinary approach is required, with research that pushes boundaries, and maps out existing risk analyses of effects in the arena of health, safety and the environment.

The following programmes fall under this theme:
1A - Human health risks - Dr. ir. J.J.M. van de Sandt (TNO)
1B - Environmental risks - Dr. A. van Wezel (KWR)
1C - Technology Assessment - Prof. dr. A. Rip (UT)

Contact at the programme office for theme 1:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

1A – Human Health Risks

Programme Director: Dr. Ir. J.J.M. (Han) van de Sandt (TNO)

Insight into the potential human health risks posed by manufactured nanoparticles (MNPs) is essential for sustainable development and safe use of innovative products based on these structures. At present, however, various information gaps exist on the intrinsic toxic properties (hazard), the potential human exposure and the relationship between exposure and health effects (risk). This program aims at developing approaches and methodology to obtain better insight into the potential risks of MNPs and nanomaterials to workers and consumers. Five research topics have been selected: risk assessment, detection, exposure, bioavailability and toxicity. These topics and the content of the projects were based on their priority for applied risk assessment. The new approaches and tools to be developed in the program aim at 1) describing responsible uses for worker and consumer , and 2) rapid and valid differentiation between MNPs with low or high risk potential in the early phase of product development. This program will be strongly linked with other themes in the NanoNextNL program, particularly where new particles and materials will be synthesized, such as food, nanomaterials and nanomedicine. 

1B - Environmental Risks

Programme Director: Dr. Annemarie van Wezel (KWR)

This programme aims at understanding and assessing potential environmental risks of manufactured nanoparticles and nanomaterials (MNP). Nanotechnology has enormous technological and economic potential. To take full economic and societal advantage of these opportunities, it is crucial to understand and effectively manage potential environmental risks of these materials. Any misconception on environmental risks may seriously hamper application of nanotechnology. Currently, understanding on environmental risks posed by MNP is largely lacking. This programme aims at understanding and predicting emission routes, environmental fate processes, exposure of organisms in the ecosystem, and (eco)toxicity of nanoparticles. For this purpose, analytical methods to determine MNP environmental matrices are developed and applied. Furthermore, the obtained knowledge will be applied to adapt the ----current environmental risk assessment for MNP.

1C – Technology Assesment

Programme Director: Prof. dr. Arie Rip (UT)

Anticipation on Societal Embedding of Nanotechnology aims to bridge the gap between the world of science and innovation on the one hand and societal (including broader economic) aspects on the other hand. This is a practical challenge for nanoscientists, technologists, industry, policy makers and societal actors. It is also a challenge for understanding and research, where contributions from different disciplines are necessary, often in interdisciplinary collaboration. The program encompasses science and technology studies, innovation studies, evolutionary economics, marketing and communication studies, political science, governance studies, law and ethics. There will be interesting complementarities with ‘risk’ studies which anticipate on health, safety and environmental effects. These complementarities will be actively pursued.

The program will do frontier research, for example in new ways of assessing potential effects of nanotechnology developments and their embedding in society. Socio-technical scenario methods, drawing on “endogenous futures” and co-evolution of technology, society and ethics are one important approach. Another example of frontier research is the study of various “soft” law and de facto governance approaches, which may eventually link up with the study of public and stakeholder perceptions of nanotechnology which feed into perceptions of legitimacy of governance and regulation.

The relevance of the program relates to different audiences: nanoscientists and other inhabitants of the world of nanotechnology including industry; policy makers and perhaps also politicians and opinion leaders (and media); civil society actors. The program will actively pursue interactions with the first audience, nanoscientists and other inhabitants of the world of nanotechnology, and exploit opportunities to reach the other audiences.

The program consists of three clusters:

-          Cluster A studies the dynamics of scientific and technological developments and inquires into their sectoral and institutional embedding and impacts (economic and otherwise) in society.

-          Cluster B starts with society, and includes public perception and public engagement with nanotechnology developments.

-          Cluster C focuses on governance questions that are urgent for regulatory and ethical embedding of nanotechnologies