Nanotechnology is already in our homes, yet most of us know nothing about it — for instance is it safe? Could it harm the environment or us?

Nanotechnology involves the engineering of materials at atomic or molecular levels — at the nanoscale — measuring up to 100 nanometres (nm) in diameter, to create new materials or materials with substantially different properties. These materials are now found in hundreds of products and the numbers are growing rapidly.  Products include household appliances, automotive components, electronics and computers, food and beverage production, toys, cosmetics, sunscreens, water, cleaning products, construction materials, paints and luxury goods.

These altered materials are even found in the iPod - yes it really does have nanotechnology in it. It uses nanotechology to create giant magnetoresistance effect, which is able to produce very high resistance devices that are very sensitive to tiny magnetic fields. The problem is the very changes in material structure that make them useful are quite likely harmful.

Due to the minute size of these materials they tend to have much greater surface area and reactivity. And while scientific studies suggest that some nano particles may cause harm to people and the environment (even if the material in bulk form is non-toxic) a 2007 UK Council for Science and Technology (CST) study concludes that the UK Government hasn’t made the progress it promised in encouraging research into the possible risks stemming from developments in this new field. The same is true for governments around the world.

The scary thing is many health conscious consumers are not even aware they may be in trouble. While the public has a powerful resistance to technologies such as Genetically Modified (GM) foods, the commercialisation of nano materials is occurring rapidly and with no warnings.

At present we don't even know how many materials we are being exposed to, as there are no laws to guide the disclosure. Materials rated safe in their natural state are being assumed to be safe in the nano state. Carbon for instance is found all around us: its in fire places, we write with it, draw with it and have always considered it safe.

But research in 2008 by by Craig A. Poland et al, shows that when manipulated into carbon nanotubes it can become asbestos-like and cancer producing.

While many nano materials are found in a bound state like in the iPod and are most likely safe. The question is raised, what happens to them when disposed of?

Already, in the past we have seen the serious problem of toxic waste from electronic equipment and nano particles may raise the bar to a new level.

A more immediate threat is from free nano particles which aren’t embedded in a substance but which make up the substance themselves, sunscreen or cosmetics for instance. These particles have the potential to enter the human body through the lungs, skin or intestinal tract.

There seems to be no area of modern consumerism that will not be impacted by the introduction of nanotechnology but one of its most immediate effects will be on our food. An estimated 200 companies worldwide are conducting research using nanotechnology to develop foods with new tastes and textures, as well as to improve packaging and enhance nutrient absorption.

Some products containing nano-sized particles are already on the market.

In America and Europe, nano-sized ingredients have been added to some fruit juices, processed meats, diet milkshakes and baby food.

Our clothing is not to be spared either socks and other items are being produced with nano-silver being used as an anti bacterial, to control odours, even though there is no knowledge about whether the particles can enter the skin - silver is known to be an accumulative toxin.

Many natural health practitioners are becoming concerned that we are about to see a whole range of new subtle illness related to new toxic materials that are difficult if not impossible to detect because they are not in themselves a toxic chemical but exert negative effects by their unnatural physical structure and characteristics.

So the next time you buy some sunscreen, ice-cream or clothes, in fact the next time you buy just about anything you should ask is this made with nanotechnology?