1. Regulating Uncertainty Nanotechnology/LCA Workshop, Chicago 5 / 6 November 2009 Professor Roland Clift Centre for Environmental Strategy University of Surrey President of the International Society for Industrial Ecology

2. SOURCE: Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution Twenty-seventh Report Novel Materials in the Environment: The Case of nanotechnology

3. What is routine? ( or would be if only we had the data…) Energy use in manufacturing vs Use ( including distributed production with transport of reagents) Emissions of species with known ( if not quantified) toxicity

4. A tangential view of “top down” and “bottom up” production : Brittle fracture cannot produce nano-sized products Processes like “nano –milling” are actually doing something else, using plastic rather than brittle processes. Therefore “top down” processes will never be energy-efficient. What are the thermodynamic limits on energy consumption in making nano particles?

5. Methodological Issues 1: Attributional vs Consequential Are we concerned with -describing the supply chain and the associated impacts and risks? or -Asking “what if we produce this product rather than any other”? Scale matters : total or marginal? If comparative, comparing what with what?

6. The Attributional vs Consequential decision conventionally affects Inventory Analysis ( e.g. biofuels) but for scarce abiotic resources it is also an impact issue

7. Assessing resource depletion We need to distinguish between A. Relatively abundant metals ; e.g. Fe, Al and “localised” metals; e.g. PGM B. Mined metals; e.g.Fe, Al and “co-products” or “hitch-hikers” Where are In, Te…………..?

8. Methodological Issues 2: Is LCA - an expert tool to guide technology management? - an approach to structuring information to inform participatory deliberation?

9. THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Phase 0: Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: Phase 4: Phase 5 Idea Feasibility Proof of Scale-up Pre- Commercial Commercial concept

10. THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Phase 0: Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: Phase 4: Phase 5 Idea Feasibility Proof of Scale-up Pre- Commercial Commercial concept 1. Conventional use of DFE: detailed design

11. THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Phase 0: Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: Phase 4: Phase 5 Idea Feasibility Proof of Scale-up Pre- Commercial Commercial concept 2. Strategic use of LCA

12. If we are serious about deliberative decision making, then we must stop thinking of LCA as an expert tool - which probably means not using the conventional “mid-points”……

13. Human health and ecotoxicology remain the biggest uncertainty for both LCIA and regulation hoping that epidemiological information will never become available ( except indirectly from industries like carbon black and formed silica) Hazard is likely to be related to function….

14. A further problem : - are we accumulating materials in the environment and building up future problems? We have done it before: CFCs Mercury Lead etc..etc How persistent are nanomaterials? Could they accumulate, e.g. in sediments?

15. Hi Ho Silver But it’s Ionic Silver (Never the nano word!)

17. NATURALLY FRESH 100% safe and 100% natural deodorant. With 24 hour protection. Reduces wetness and keeps you fresh and clean all day. Naturally Fresh is a 100% natural deodorant. It is safe and effective! Contains no synthetic preservatives, nor any Aluminum Chlorohydrate or Aluminum Zirconium. Using a proprietary blend of herbs, mineral salts and ionic silver to keep you fresh and moderately dry. Plus the anti-oxidant benefits of vitamins E and C ester, pomegranate, grape seed and cranberry. With theanti-irritant benefits of aloe vera and chamomile. Plus the astringent and antiseptic action of Calendula and Ionic Silver. Clear with no color and with a crisp, clean scent of the natural active ingredients. No added fragrance. Kills odor causing bacteria and eliminates body and foot odor as well. “Great product, keeps me dry and fresh with no irritation” – Debbie A, Florida

18. Using words to bury a problem is ok just until it is uncovered