Are nanomaterials a big deal?

Federal regulators announced two actions last week that will aim to clarify the role that extremely small materials can play in items such as cosmetics and food production and packaging.

The Environmental Protection Agency said that it will seek to determine whether nanomaterials in pesticide products can "cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment and human health."

And the Food and Drug Administration released draft guidelines to industries about when the use of nanomaterials might trigger regulatory interest. The FDA named certain characteristics -- such as the size of nanomaterials used and their properties -- that may be considered when trying to identify applications of nanotechnology in products.

Nanomaterials measure about three-billionths of an inch or less, small enough to penetrate the lungs, brain and possibly the skin.

According to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, nanomaterials are used in pest control, lotions, sunscreens, hamburger containers, air purifiers and toys.

Academics, researchers and scientists say the rapidly growing but little-understood science merits wider study.

"We want to obtain timely and accurate information on what nanoscale materials may be in pesticide products. This information is needed for EPA to meet its requirement under the law to protect health and environment," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.