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Chaudhry, Qasim; Bouwmeester, Hans; Hertel, Rolf F. --- "The Current Risk Assessment Paradigm in Relation to the Regulation of Nanotechnologies" [2010] ELECD 715; in Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew (eds), "International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies

Editor(s): Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781848446731

Section: Chapter 7

Section Title: The Current Risk Assessment Paradigm in Relation to the Regulation of Nanotechnologies

Author(s): Chaudhry, Qasim; Bouwmeester, Hans; Hertel, Rolf F.

Number of pages: 20

Extract:

7 The current risk assessment paradigm in
relation to the regulation of
nanotechnologies
Qasim Chaudhry, Hans Bouwmeester and
Rolf F. Hertel


7.1 INTRODUCTION

It has been suggested for some time that manipulating properties of mate-
rials at a small size scale may open up new opportunities for development
of new functionalities (Feynman, 1959). The recent advent of nanotech-
nology has provided a systematic approach to the study and use of mate-
rial properties in the size range close to the molecular level. Understanding
the properties of materials at nanoscale provides opportunities for `fine-
tuning' of certain properties, as well as development of novel functionali-
ties for specific applications. Due to the cross-cutting and enabling nature,
applications of nanotechnology already span a vast range of industrial and
consumer sectors. Of particular interest in this regard are engineered nano-
materials (ENMs) that are manufactured specifically to achieve a certain
property or a composition. In many products and applications, ENMs are
incorporated in fixed, bound or embedded forms, such as plastic materials
for packaging. Other applications, such as certain cosmetics and personal
care products, may contain free engineered nanoparticles (ENPs).1
The fundamental drivers at the heart of most nanotechnology appli-
cations are their potential to enable a reduction in the use of chemical
substances, and development of novel functionalities. Because of the very
large surface to mass ratio (also termed as aspect ratio), a relatively small
amount of an ENM may provide a level of functionality that would oth-
erwise ...