A new paper published by the German Federal Environment Agency has warned for possible dangers from nanotechnology. The German internet immediately inflated the warning and the nanodanger became humongous in the rumour kitchen.

Yet some studies have emerged that do appear to show nano-sized ingredients can be harmful. One, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the United Kingdom, found that when mice inhaled carbon nano-tubes, they developed lung inflammations similar to those caused by asbestos. The lung inflammations did eventually subside. Another theory posits that nano-materials could have an impact on human DNA and more science-fiction-style scenarios involve the deadly military potential of items like the flexible amour and lightweight combat equipment being developed at Florida State University in the United States.

Read more at Spiegel International.