The use of nanotechnology in consumer goods continues to grow at a rapid pace. According to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the nanotechnology-enabled consumer products inventory contained 1317 self-identified products as of March 2011 (with potentially more going unreported), which is a growth of 521% since its initial release in March 2006. Stakeholders from the entire product life cycle are vested in understanding the potential effects that these nanomaterials may have on human health and safety and the fate and transport of these materials in the environment. Some examples of these stakeholders include research laboratories, manufacturers, consumers of nano-enabled products, and regulators involved in overseeing the safe use and disposal of these products. As a result, extensive research is being undertaken to relate the toxicity of nanomaterials to their structure and properties. A vast amount of data is being generated in the process.
