Germ-killing nanoparticles to be regulated in the United States

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reversed an earlier decision and will now be regulating silver nanoparticles under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The Washington-based Daily Environment Report reported the ruling on Tuesday, with stories following by the Washington Post and Associated Press. Nanosilver coatings are used to kill microorganisms in refrigerators, washing machines, and other consumer products. The EPA will now treat such nanoparticles as pesticides.