Iyuke S.E.
University of the Witwastersrand, ZA
Keywords: CNTs, demography, model, nanotechnology, SHE, training
The statistical evaluation of the SHE survey strongly supports nine out of the twenty nine test statements to be addressed by practicing nanotechnologists with regards to safety, health and the environment, which are: (1)Sizes, aspect ratios, and surface activity determinants of nanoparticles would have health impacts on living organisms (strongly agree (4.4±0.24); (2) Potential exposure routes of nanomaterials are both airborne and waterborne (strongly agree (4.5±0.25)); (3) Exposure to nanoparticles will affect all lifestages, from foetus to old age, and on all major systems, including neural and immune systems (strongly agree (4.3±0.23)); 4) Research in nanotechnology should be made more interdisciplinary and international (strongly agree (4.8±0.20)); (5) Nanotech impacts should be studied on ecological systems and not just on single organisms (strongly agree (4.3±0.38)); (6) Continuous specialised training is necessary to provide the capacity for safe development and application of nanotechnology (strongly agree (4.5±0.31)); (7) Specialised methodologies and protocols are required for environmental pollution and health hazard studies for the evolving range of nanotechnologies (strongly agree (4.6±0.25)); (8) Classification systems should be developed to provide a framework to make research judgments and keep track of the state of knowledge about nanotech’s potential pollutions (strongly agree (4.4±0.25)); and (9)The world needs established nanotech-environmental summits to ensure human co-existence with her environment (strongly agree (4.4±0.24)).
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2006 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 7, 2006
Pages: 547 - 550
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topic: Environmental Health & Safety of Nanomaterials
ISBN: 0-9767985-6-5