Nanotechnology regulations imposed by the Berkeley City Council took effect Friday. The council decided last Tuesday to amend its hazardous materials law to include nanoparticles, making Berkeley the nation's only local government to regulate nanotechnology.

The unanimous action compels researchers and manufacturers to report what nanotechnology materials they are working with and how they are handling them.

Nabil Al-Hadithy, the city's hazardous material manager, said, "We're hoping others will use this format and duplicate it in health and safety codes around California."

My question is, what evidence will other cities use to include nanoparticles in their hazardous materials law? (photo University of California at Berkeley)