A report by the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering...recommended that nanoparticles and nanotubes be treated as new chemicals under UK and European legislation to allow appropriate safety tests and labelling.
It also said nanotech materials should be approved by an independent scientific safety committee before they can be used in consumer products such as cosmetics.
Super-fine particles are already being incorporated into a number of cosmetics and composite materials to improve their performance.
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~As far as I can tell no comparable USA studies of nanotechnology have made similar recommendations. Nor do I get the sense that the recommendations here will soon be made into laws, or acted upon in any way. I'm certain that nano-fiber masks and air-filters will be widely available when nano-pollution becomes a public health problem. Until that time it's 'manifest destiny' for nano-science, anything's possible, the sky's the limit. I wonder when we'll see the first reports of nano-technology (work?) related illnesses? Within five years?
~See also the graphic: Some Potential Uses of Nanotechnology
~Apparently cyber-cafes and their habitues will be the first to reap the benefits of nano-technology.