Nanotechnologies and the Safe by Desing: Seeking Alternatives for Risk Management
The impacts and expansion of technological advances, the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution (SCHWAB, 2016), is about historical changes in terms of size, speed and scope, and the unfolding of these transformations, their complexity and interdependence yet unknown. But what is known is that the parts interested in global society – government, business, universities and civil society – have the responsibility to work together in order to better understand these emerging trends as well as to deal with the risks of these innovations in a sustainable way. The transformations of today’s society are larger than it can be predicted, deeper and faster than at any other time. Thus, the current scenario presents itself as a challenge for new analyzes studies and research (ROCHA, MARTINI, 2016). Industrial use of the nanometer scale is advancing rapidly without any scientific certainty about the safety of nanoparticles and without the legal area having produced a specific regulatory framework. Nanotechnologies are accompanied by scientific uncertainties as to their effects and (possible?) future harm to the environment and human life. Consider the prospect of growth projected: “The global nanotechnology market is expected to reach $90.5 billion in 2021, from $39.2 billion in 2016 with a compound annual growth rate of 18.2%. “(MCWILLIAM, 2016).
