At MSNBC yesterday, so it'll be in my newspaper day after tomorrow (if at all). Check your local news:

EPA to regulate nanosilver.

Nanosilver refers to silver particles less than 10^-9 meters in diameter. Particles of this size are being used in a number of products where it is claimed that the silver "kills bacteria."

A specific example cited as a nanosilver product was "Odor Eater" shoe sole inserts, but there are a number of such products now being marketed.

The environmental concern, and the "justification" given for EPA action, is that anything that kills bugs could contaminate groundwater and kill beneficial fauna. (The EPA regulates "insecticides" and other pest control products.)

In typical beaurocatidiot manner, the announcement says that "Any product that claims germicidal action by using nanosilver will be subject to the new regulation." Producers of any material that claims to kill germs using nanosilver will be required to show that no harmful environmental impact will be produced.

The EPA admits quite openly that as long as the maker does not claim that the nanosilver kills germs a manufacturer is free to market the same products without regulation, and one manufacturer already has anticipated the new regs by dropping the word "germicidal" from all labelling and advertising - and will thereby be free from having to comply with the new restrictions.

The EPA suggests that this is a "test case" to see whether they can get by with regulating other similar kinds of products, and predicts a long series of court cases. (Expect some mfr to argue that by limiting what they can say their product does, the reg is an Unconstitutional infringement of their freedom of speech, etc.)

John