Multiple approaches for a complete mapping of nanomaterial uses : the case of nanosilver
Résumé
Currently, there is an explosion of consumer products containing nanoparticles. On the one hand, the presence of nanomaterials in these products is considered to be innovative but, on the other hand, it also raises controversies about their potential effects on human health and environment. In order to reduce uncertainties and get a first insight on the nanomaterials available on the market, several countries decided to implement institutional inventories: Consumer Products Inventory (USA), Nanodatabase (Denmark), ANEC/BEUC (Europe), RIVM (Netherlands), R-Nano (France) and new ones are in development (Belgium and Sweden). However, as underlined by different stakeholders, the current registries only offer a partial view of the current uses of nanomaterials on the European market. In order to support the development of an adapted regulation, which reflects the market reality, it becomes then urgent to develop new tools that can provide a relevant sight of this reality. In this study, we present a simple approach using qualitative research tools that we believe will help the Authorities to adapt and priorize coming regulatory works. This approach is illustrated through a case study on silver nanoparticles. Based on a study of available inventories and of the registrations of European patents, an analysis of the distribution of categories of consumer products containing silver nanoparticles was carried out. Furthermore, we undertook two kinds of analyses to map the uses of silver nanoparticles. First, a bibliometric survey of the 10 000 most recent publications in peer-review journals on Web of Science was performed. Secondly, we used the textual analysis of contents of 2438 headlines in international press to highlight the key issues in the public sphere. From this study, several kinds of category uses were highlighted. Current and prospective uses of silver nanoparticles can be outlined from figure 1. This study allowed the identification of new profiles of industries beyond inventories and gives new point of view of suspected gaps between the number of registered end-products and the consumer products on the market, nowadays and in the future.