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The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) this week issued a fact sheet warning of the health risks of nanomaterials.

"The ACTU is pushing for closer oversight of the rapidly growing industry, which contributes to more than 800 products including bedsheets, building materials and paints... among the ACTU's demands are a national registry of all companies and organisations manufacturing, importing and supplying products containing nanomaterials, a labelling requirement for products containing nanomaterials, and for agencies to develop nanotechnology handling standards," writes The Age's Dan Harrison.

"With animal tests showing some nanomaterials share the same characteristics and reactions as asbestos fibres, governments and business must not repeat the painful lessons of the past and allow another tragedy to occur again," says ACTU assistant secretary Geoff Fary. "Existing laws and regulations were not designed with the unique properties of nanoscale materials in mind... until we know more about nano materials, we should regulate as if it is dangerous to human health. It is the only safe option."

More here from Industrial IT ... more here from AZoNano ... and the press release is here.