Research and Markets, the leading source for international market research
and market data, has announced the addition of Frost + Sullivan's new report
"Nanotechnology
- Assessment of Health Safety and Environmental Factors" to their offering.
This research service provides a detailed insight into the overall developments
in the health, safety and the environmental (HSE) aspects of nanotechnology.
The service starts off with an overview of the HSE implications of nanotechnology
followed by a forced field analysis of the industry drivers and challenges substantiated
with a comprehensive research overview and analysis in the realms of HSE. A
strategic evaluation of the possible initiatives has been provided along with
a detailed evaluation of the global economic crisis and its impact on nanotechnology.
Profiling of commonly used HSE nomenclature with a list of the ongoing research
projects in North America and Europe completes the study.
Research Overview
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Nanotechnology--Assessment
of Health Safety and Environmental Factors (Technical Insights) provides an
overview of the efforts involved in understanding the potential risks of nanomaterials
and nanotechnology, and examines the required guidelines in order to meet the
future regulations.
This analysis is available through Frost & Sullivans' Technical Insights
program. With this program, clients receive industry-leading market research
along with comprehensive, objective information that allows your company to
mitigate risk, identify new opportunities, and drive effective strategies for
growth. For more information on this custom subscription service, please click
here.
Technology Overview
Health, Safety, and Environmental Aspects of Nanotechnology - Is it a Boon
or Bane for Mankind?
The advent of nanotechnology on the modern landscape has dramatically changed
the shape, size, quality, cost, and efficiency of various applications. Nanotechnology
has been tipped to be the most path-breaking technology, with this market expected
to reach $1 trillion by 2015. The remarkable properties of the various nanomaterials
have caught the attention of scientists, researchers, and manufacturers alike,
and ongoing research activities are underway to harness their potential for
the overall betterment of society. "As the technology is still in the nascent
stages, it is vital to conduct comprehensive studies on human health, workers'
safety and environmental (HSE) aspects," notes the analyst of this research
service. "Several governmental, non-governmental, private, and non-profit
organizations have been collaborating with various research entities and academia
across the globe to assess the risks involved in nanotechnology." HSE studies
would enable improved understanding of the true nature of this technology, and
enhance living conditions for mankind.
The commercialization of any technology depends on a comprehensive study of
the lifecycle assessment (LCA) of the manufactured products in order to examine
its plausible negative effects on humans and the environment. LCA studies will
pave the way for the development of solutions to counter the negative aspects
of these products. Although all materials have been tested and standardized
by the various governing or regulatory bodies, the size ranges of engineered
nanomaterials have made it difficult for the existing systems to test the physico-chemical
characteristics of nanoparticles. "The understanding of the behavior of
particles in nano-scale range is not as coherent as that of the same particles
in the micro- and macro- scale," says the analyst. "Experts are already
confounded with the behavior characteristics of nano-materials and have found
it difficult to furnish a reference material for the same." Reference material
is usually categorized based on the unique physical and chemical properties,
and the task is even more difficult as all the testing and measurement instruments'
and systems' work is based on reference material.
Going forward, the abundant investments intended for the stimulus package for
nanotechnology development are expected to strengthen the research emphasis
on the HSE aspect of nanotechnology. The initiatives taken by the European and
U.S. regulatory councils in identifying the presumed toxic nature of the nanoparticles
and their subsequent assessment have received a major fillip since the announcement
of various stimulus packages. Rigorous and sustained research will now be possible
in developing risk assessment strategies for various engineered nanoparticles
due to the availability of funds. Ratcheted up interest levels in the technology
will lead to the rollout of green and cost-effective solutions, ensuring that
employment opportunities will proliferate in the realms of research, manufacturing,
and distribution systems. Nanotechnology has carved a niche for itself in various
applications with the different enterprises engaged in building a strong customer
base. Diversification into new markets is a major goal for these enterprises,
and sustained investment efforts will surely tilt the scales in favor of nanotechnology.