QD Vision

Characterizing risk using life cycle thinking

IssuesOutcomesServices

Issues

The novel properties of nanoscale materials make them challenging to assess using traditional risk assessment methods. Despite international efforts to fully understand and characterize the risk associated with nanomaterials, in the absence of regulatory oversight, companies need to be able to make business decisions about which products to make with which materials. CLF Ventures worked with the innovative and leading nanotechnology company, QD Vision, to assess the safety of a new product under development.

Outcomes

CLF Ventures worked with the product design team of this leading company that develops products with quantum dots to address safety issues during the design phase throughout the product life cycle. To do this, we employed a screening tool called Nano Life Cycle Risk Assessment (LCRA), developed by CLF Ventures CEO Jo Anne Shatkin, PhD. LCRA builds on the principles of traditional risk assessment, but allows for iterative learning and adaptation of products based on better understanding. This is particularly useful when working with new products that contain novel materials, such as individual nanoparticles and quantum dots.

CLF Ventures prepared an initial Life Cycle Risk Assessment Report that informed laboratory product testing for occupational exposure and provided results of exposure testing and analysis. We then issued a revised report that incorporated the exposure testing results and included recommendations for product re-design and safe handling, including a Material Safety Data Sheet. With CLF Ventures’ input, the company developed a novel product that considered both toxicity and exposure — the elements of health risk — and was designed with safety in mind.

Services Utilized

Analysis
Using Nano Life Cycle Risk Assessment, CLF Ventures conducted an initial screen of product safety and a screen of environmental and health risks during the product development phase, considering raw materials, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life disposal. This information was analyzed in a report characterizing potential risk at each stage of the product life cycle.

Strategy
Based on our analysis, we identified potential risks and designed and conducted experiments to test for worker exposure during use and end-of-life wear releases. The test results were used to inform and update the Life Cycle Risk Assessment Report, and ultimately informed a Material Safety Data Sheet for the product and Safe Handling Instructions for nano-product users.