Nanomaterial Risk Management in an Innovative and Proactive Manner

Kristen Kulinowski, Ph.D., Executive Director for Education and Public Policy
Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology and for the International Council on Nanotechnology at Rice University

The increase of nanotechnology innovation poses profound implications for society. The enormous potential, or "good news futures," are often highlighted in discussions among researchers and the public. New medical applications, advanced military uniforms, and the carbon nanotube elevator to space are examples of the promised benefits. In contrast, a growing need for the consideration of risks, the "bad news futures," namely toxicity to organisms and environmental nanopollution, is the concern of the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON), which is housed at Rice University within the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN).¹

The so-called "wow-to-yuck" factor of a new technology often results in the erosion of public trust and, in the case of nanotechnology, is the product of incomplete or complex technical data. At this time, there are not enough studies on "engineered" nanoparticles and their relationship to the workplace and consumer, nor are there developed methods for nanotechnology risk assessment. In recognition of the potentially negative aspects of nanotechnology development, ICON seeks to: limit the polarization in perception of nanotechnology's risks; ensure that high-quality technical information is available and used by all decision makers; encourage early risk management while changes can be made to minimize effects; and promote risk assessment, communication, and management practices that are global in scope. ICON's mission is "to assess, communicate, and reduce the environmental and health risks of nanotechnology while maximizing its societal value." ICON executes its mission by focusing on addressing the nano risk and governance issues through a civil society approach that avoids "polarizing the dialogue."

At the core of successfully accomplishing the aims of this model is ICON's robust international and multi-stakeholder partnership, which encourages responsible nanotechnology development based on a strong basis in scientific data. The multiple-stakeholder format includes a well-balanced core group of industry members (who fund 80% of ICON's operations), academic partners, nongovernmental participants, and governmental advisors who form volunteer ICON working groups in communications, best practices, knowledge base, and governance. These working groups develop project proposals to advance ICON's objectives, which include:

• establishing a multiple-stakeholder, international, and neutral forum for exploring
  environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues in nanotechnology;
  
• developing a credible knowledge base of EH&S information in nanotechnology,
  contextualized for all stakeholder groups;
  
• creating information to enable EH&S risk assessment and management; and
  
• engaging in broad communication of the results of ICON's efforts and translating
  complex scientific concepts for all parties.

Under the premise that risk management is analogous to information management, the sharing of sound, data-based research is the pervasive feature of all ICON activities. In its risk management function, ICON informs, educates, and frames nanotechnology's EH&S agenda. It is ICON's view that its significant contribution to this arena is through the definition of knowledge gaps, construction of an EH&S knowledge database, and creation of a best practices manual, which will ultimately allow for gap-filling research and responsible policy decisions.

Kristen Kulinowski, Ph.D., is executive director for education and public policy for the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology and for the International Council on Nanotechnology at Rice University.

¹ CBEN is a National Science Foundation-funded Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, which is engaged in research that focuses on investigating and developing nanoscience at the "wet/dry" interface. While affiliated with CBEN, ICON is a separate and unique institution that is governed by all stakeholders and has a broader mission than pure academic research.