Nano-silver is found internationally in toothpastes, pet shampoos, fabric softeners, bath towels, cosmetics, deodorants, baby clothes, baby bottles, refrigerators, food storage containers, kitchen cutting boards, underwear, ATM buttons, industrial disinfectants, agricultural pesticides and handrails for buses.

Experts warn that the use of such a powerful antimicrobial in these everyday products is not only unnecessary, but dangerous. They also warn that nano-silver will also promote resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobials. The widespread use of a powerful bacteria killer such as nano-silver in everyday products could further increase the incidence of allergies.

Yet existing regulation not only fails to recognize that nano-silver presents new and often greater toxicity risks than the same substance in bulk form, there is no provision at all for assessment of public health threats – including the capacity to drive development of more powerful resistance in bacteria.