Dealing with nano risks -

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Dealing with nano risks -
Nanotechnology dialog activities as a part of a
new strategy of risk communication

• Dr. René Zimmer
• Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
• Berlin (Germany)

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(No Transcript)
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Poisoning cases with Magic Nano
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Tasks of the Federal Institute for Risk
Assessment (BfR)
Risk identification / risk assessment
Suggestions for limiting potential risks
Risk communication

BfR was actively involved in the elucidation of
respiratory problems of consumers after using
Magic Nano.
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Crisis Communication 1

• BfR press releases
• 2006-03-31 - Nano warning
• Exercise caution when using nano-sealing
  sprays containing a propellant! - When used in
  confined spaces, they can cause respiratory
  problems
• 2006-04-12 - Has all the magic gone?
• Cause of intoxications with nano spray not yet
  fully elucidated - Scientific discussions at BfR
  did not produce any clear results
• 2006-05-26 - No nano in Magic Nano
• Nano particles were not the cause of health
  problems triggered by sealing sprays! - Products
  did not contain any ultrafine particles

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Crisis Communication 2

• Three BfR expert meetings were organized between
  April and June 2006
• Results
• The products concerned didn't contain any
  particle in nano-size. Nano-function referred
  only to the thickness of the thin layer.
• The active silicon compounds (silanes) of the
  nano fluid had been eliminated by chemical
  changes in the further processing process.
• Magic Nano contains Nano only in its name !

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Nano regulatory activities

• development of recommendations for safety
  assessment of nano spray applications by the
  German Chemical Industry Association (VCI)
• recommendation for labeling products or
  preparations with nanoparticles and for keeping a
  register of nanoproducts
• development of a test strategy for the assessment
  of health effects of nanoparticles by
  administrative bodies in Germany

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Risk Communication

• undifferentiated reactions to Magic Nano case
  entire nanotechnology branch was under suspicion
• not only real risks, but also perceived risks can
  undermine consumer acceptance
• if something bad happens to an item that has
  'nano' in its name, attention will immediately
  focus on the whole category of nano products
• Need for more differentiation by all players
  involved in nanotechnology

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Delphi survey about risks of nanotechnological
applications

• Aimed to the development of risk prevention and
  risk minimisation strategies
• 2 Delphi surveys
• approx. 100 experts will systematically map
  possible risks of nanotechnology
• 2 separate expert workshops
• results were analysed and arranged in a risk
  barometer

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Aims of the delphi survey

1. inventory of all nanomaterials used
2. mapping materials to applications and to
   potential exposures of consumers
3. ranking of high-risk and low-risk applications
4. development of strategies to minimize risks

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Consumer conference on perception of
nanotechnology

• Questions and aims
• reduction of information deficits and
  differentiated formation of opinion to
  nanotechnology among consumers
• compile a qualified consumer vote to consumer
  relevant applications of nanotechnology
• specific distribution of the consumer vote to
  decision makers in the fields of consumer
  protection, politics, science and industry.

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Prospects for Risk Communication
Nano-discourse Platform for Germany

• Principles
• open transfer of information to the public
• transparency on how decisions are made
• acknowledgement of uncertainties
• incorporation of other views

• Tasks
• provision of dialog forums
• development of new dialog methods
• analysis of the factors influencing perception

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• To be prepared lets not wait for the
• next nano-accident,
• but commit to more differentiation
• in the nano-debate.

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Thank you for your attention
Dr. René Zimmer Federal Institute for Risk
AssessmentThielallee 88-92 ? D-14195 BerlinTel.
49 30 - 84 12 - 3808 ? Fax 49 30 - 84 12 -
3706r.zimmer_at_bfr.bund.de ? www.bfr.bund.de