Situation in Europe and the world : societal risks and benefits of new nanometric products
Résumé
Nanometric products promise a wide range of applications which should bring benefits to society in many vital areas, including energy, drinking water, health, environmental protection, and others. At the same time, these products involve risks, some due to there use as-is, some due to applications in which they are combined with other materials. In order to avoid the often excessive fears these new technologies inspire (just as enthusiasm for them is often exaggerated), it is important to carry out as objective an assessment of the risks and benefits as possible.