Nanotechnology in consumer products

The term ‘nanotechnology’ has become more widely used in recent years to describe small particles of matter at the nanometre or molecular scale. Nanometre scale materials come in many different forms. Food and drinking water naturally comprise particles at the nanometre scale, and humans have always been exposed to nanometre scale particles from things like smoke, dust, ash, and fine clays through air, food and water.

Currently there are no mandatory standards covering the use of nanometre scale particles in consumer goods.

Regulators

The Australian Office of Nanotechnology coordinates interdepartmental monitoring of, and investigations into, possible hazards associated with nanotechnology. The office aims to:

• protect the health and safety of humans and the environment
• foster informed community debate
• achieve economic and social benefits from the responsible adoption of nanotechnology.

The ACCC determines the health risks of consumer products containing nanometre scale materials by investigating the possible:

• hazards in the composite materials in products
• potential exposure to these nanometre scale materials when using the product.

The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) is the Australian Government regulator of industrial chemicals. NICNAS conducts scientific risk assessments of chemicals and maintains the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS). The ACCC is guided by the advice of NICNAS in relation to chemical substances (including nanometre scale particulates) and the status of a substance on the AICS.

Further information

For more detailed information please follow the link to the article on nano particles in consumer products.