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While polls show most Americans know little or nothing about nanotechnology, in 2006 nanotechnology was incorporated into more than $50 billion in manufactured goods. By 2014, Lux Research estimates $2.6 trillion in manufactured goods will incorporate nanotechnologyor about 15 percent of total global output. Despite a 2006 worldwide investment of $12.4 billion in nanotech R&D, comparatively little was spent on examining nanotechnologys potential environmental, health and safety risks.

Public trust is the dark horse in nanotechnologys future, says Rejeski in his testimony. If government and industry do not work to build public confidence in nanotechnology, consumers may reach for the No-Nano label in the future and investors will put their money elsewhere.

According to Rejeski, The use of nanotechnology in consumer products and industrial applications is growing rapidly, with the products listed in the PEN inventory showing just the tip of the iceberg. Public perceptions about risksreal and perceivedcan have large economic consequences. How consumers respond to these early productsin food, electronics, health care, clothing and carsis a litmus test for broader market acceptance of nanotechnologies in the future.

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