Technological Changes and Risks

New technologies come with a host of unknown factors. They offer opportunities, for example to economic, social and health development; but they often come with risks. Many of these technological risks follow a loose schedule from the creation of the technology, developing it, identifying a risk, the risk increasingly coming to pass, controls on the risk are created until finally that risk, and perhaps that technology, pass into obscurity.

Since 1850, there have been many examples of new technologies arising and creating serious harm, let alone the risk of it. Research continues into the risks from everyday objects, such as mobile phones, wireless points and burnt toast. Let’s take three examples, each with a particular time frame: sparks from railways, exploding boilers and asbestos. Each of these accompanied technologies which, either in the same form, or as a descendent, still affect our lives today. In addition, during the development of each of these, there were serious risks to people working with, on or near them, as well as possessions in their vicinity.