The Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances (ACHS) to the United Kingdom's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has released a "Report on Nanosilver", recommending that government bodies fund a thorough review of the hazard and exposure of silver nanoparticles as an immediate priority.  This should include the identification and formation of an inventory of consumer products containing nanosilver.

ACHS noted that of all the consumer products on the market claiming to contain nanomaterials, the greatest number used silver nanoparticles, e.g. in cosmetics, fabrics, toothpaste, toothbrushes, kitchen surfaces, bandages, medical equipment and other products.

The report notes that, due to lack of knowledge, the nature of the environmental risk associated with the widespread use of nanosilver products is at present poorly characterised and suggests that the likely wide use of consumer products using nanosilver as an antibacterial agent suggests wide environmental exposure.

ACHS Report on Nanosilver