New centre tests nano technology

Nanoparticles are already used in a range of products

A centre to test whether tiny man-made particles used in many everyday products are safe is to be opened at Edinburgh's Napier university.

Manufactured nanoparticles are dust-like fragments, about 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

They are already found in everything from sun cream and cosmetics, to tennis racquets and anti-bacterial socks.

Scientists want to know more about them and any unexpected consequences for the human body or the environment.

The new Centre for Nano Safety aims to make sure these ground-breaking materials are safe for people to be exposed to before they become common place.