Monte Carlo Multi-Criteria Risk Analysis of Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Production Processes Under Uncertain Manufacturing Costs, Occupational Health Risks, and Regulatory Standards

Given the considerable uncertainty surrounding the occupational, consumer, and environmental, health and safety (EHS) risks of various nanomanufacturing processes, Monte Carlo (MC) models were developed to investigate the implications of these uncertainties on high pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco) nanomanufacturing processes. This paper illustrates the use of MC models to study the impact of inherent uncertainties and early EHS standards decisions on predicting long-term manufacturing costs, occupational health (OH) exposure risks, and associated tradeoffs. Until research progresses on the EHS risks of nanotechnology, these types of analyses can provide useful information for private and regulatory decision-makers and for guiding research priorities.