UPDATE 1-US FDA says nanotech may need extra safety tests - Chicago Tribune

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Reuters

4:13 p.m. CDT, April 20, 2012

* Tiny particles may absorb into skin, organs

* FDA asks food, cosmetic companies to test nanotech safety

* Rejects petition for new nanotech regulatory regime

By Anna Yukhananov

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators said
consumer products that use nanotechnology may have unknown
effects on the human body, and advised food and cosmetic
companies to further study the safety of these tiny particles.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued two draft
guidelines on Friday calling for more studies, putting, for now,
much of the onus for safety on companies.

The FDA also rejected a consumer group's petition from 2006
that urged a separate category of regulation for nanotechnology
due to its "unique human health and environmental risks."

Nanotechnology involves designing and manufacturing
materials on the scale of one-billionth of a meter - so small it
cannot be seen with a regular light microscope.

It is used in hundreds of products in areas ranging from
stain-resistant clothing and cosmetics to food additives, but