Nanotechnology is undoubtedly exciting, but not all applications are necessarily safe, and much remains unknown about them.

During the manufacture of nano-materials, it is feared that workers could be contaminated by particles entering their blood stream. Particles might also get dispersed in the environment if they are used in large quantities in paints and varnishes.

It is known that nano-particles can enter the body through the lungs, and in certain cases reach the brain, but it is not known if they can enter through the skin.

It has already been shown in laboratory tests that buckminsterfullerenes, molecules which can be used to transport medicaments, can enter and damage the brains of fish.

The Swiss Federal Office of Health and the Federal Office of the Environment are preparing an action plan to evaluate possible dangers. The Environment Office hopes to persuade the Swiss National Science Foundation to fund research into the possible dangers and secondary effects of nanotechnologies.