| 英文摘要 |
This project was to explore the risk perceptions of nanotechnology and to review related regulatory policies. We reviewed and collected research of risk perception and regulatory policies of nanotechnology in many countries and international organizations. We designed a core questionnaire concerning the perceptions of nanotechnology to collect the opinions of different stakeholders. We conducted several surveys, including the general population (N=1737), college students (N=163) in classes, occupational hygienists (N=136), and risk and pubic health experts (N=45). The results indicated that attitude to nanotechnology of the general public (consumers) was decided by the risk and benefit perception of nanotechnology. The risk and benefit perception of nanotechnology, on the other hand, was determined by the attitude to technology, knowledge of nanotechnology, and social trust of related agencies. Furthermore, we compared risk and benefit perception of the general public, college students, occupational hygienists, and risk and public health experts. Our findings were similar to the survey results in 2008. The experts in Taiwan were more concerned of the inhalation and environmental pollution of nano-particles, while the general public, college students and occupational hygienists were more concerned of the ingestion and dermal contact of nano-particles. Though there were different survey methods from 2008 to 2010, it was hard to compare the results longitudinally. Our preliminary findings indicated that the optimum of developing nanotechnology in Taiwan had been decreasing. It might be an alarm for the national project and research institute of nanotechnology. Our study suggested that it is urgent for the Taiwanese regulatory agencies to monitor the new regulations in the international contexts, and to formulate the regulations of nanotechnology.
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