Nanotechnologies risk assessment: a perspective from developing countries

Abstract

In this paper, the potential impacts of nanotechnologies in developing countries are examined. Both beneficial and unanticipated risks of nanotechnologies are discussed with reference to the developing countries. Moreover, the mechanisms of promoting responsible development of nanotechnologies taking into account the present challenges of developing countries comprising of: lack of high skilled human capacity; weak, poor, or none existent policy and legislative frameworks, and limited infrastructure that can facilitate such states in taking full benefits of cutting-edge technologies e.g. nanotechnology are examined. Using scientific data on risk assessment of nanomaterials, and existing knowledge on waste management systems of macroscale chemicals in these states: the unique challenges of nanotechnologies from a waste perspective are modeled to develop scenarios of likely impacts to the developing countries. Both qualitative and quantitative risk assessment approaches were developed. The results showed that nanotechnologies are likely to pose potential undesirable impacts to both humans and the environment - including those residing in the developing countries.