At the time this paper was published, little attention had been given to quantum dot technology from a toxicological perspective. Most nanotoxicology papers and conferences had, and continue to focus, on carbon-based materials, with lesser emphasis on metalloid based nano-materials.

“It is hoped that this paper draws attention to this fact, and expresses to the reader the need for wise and responsible development and application of the novel and emerging field of nanotechnology.”

I think people probably found my paper, which is a review of quantum dot technology from a nanotoxicological perspective, informative and interesting to read. Perhaps for many readers it was their first real exposure to a discussion of quantum dot technology, the societal benefits of this technology, and the potential adverse environmental and human health effects as well. It is primarily for these reasons that I think the paper was frequently cited.

As a review article it really addresses a novel technology, and synthesizes what is currently known, and unknown, regarding these materials.

The significance of this paper is that it draws attention to the fine balance between economic growth/development—in this case, a technological advancement—and the potential adverse societal impacts of such advances when they are not properly implemented.

History has shown us, in quite clear terms, that economic growth and development, along with technological advances, have often had a marked deleterious impact on human health and the environment (e.g. industry, PAHs, PCBs, dioxins, mercury).

It was not so much the technologies themselves, or the economic engines that had direct deleterious effects on humans and ecosystems, but rather our ignorance of how to wisely use and employ these technologies.

It is hoped that this paper draws attention to this fact, and expresses to the reader the need for wise and responsible development and application of the novel and emerging field of nanotechnology.

All environmental problems are fundamentally economic, and nanotechnology, due to its potentially significant positive impacts on economic growth and development, poses equally significant risks to the environment and human health.

I became interested in nanotechnology and, specifically, in quantum dot technologies, because it is a wonderful new tool in terms of biomedical research, specifically in imaging technologies.

I came to this technology from the user end of the spectrum, and, being a toxicologist, also recognized the potential toxicity of these materials if not handled and disposed of properly. Of course this led to the recognition of, in the event of bulk production and deployment, the potential societal risks posed by this technology.

The social implications of my research are really very specific—that of human health. My work focuses on the relationship between the environment and human health. This relationship is intimate and direct. A healthy environment means no environmental exposures to carcinogens, mutagens, etc. So the social implications of my work are really those of public health.

In terms of finding a solution to the problem, it is not really about the environment, but rather about the twin economic drivers of business and industry, which are the primary sources of environmental toxicants-exposures.

I prefer to address the environmental-human health relationship through toxicology, and an examination of business-environment relationships. Here the word business implies both economic growth and development. And we see this struggle right now in terms of mediating carbon usage and outputs in carbon-based energy societies. Some of this gets into sustainable development, where it can be seen in emerging trends in the "greening" of business.

I would emphasize there are distinct social (environmental and human health) and political (regulatory) implications that result from my area of research. This is really exciting stuff, and business-environment relationships will, in my opinion, be a key interface which is due to receive a great deal of attention, innovation, and growth.