Government officials in Germany have reported what appears to be the first health-related recall of a nanotechnology product, raising a potential public perception problem for the rapidly growing but still poorly understood field of science.

At least 77 people reported severe respiratory problems over a one-week period at the end of March – including six who were hospitalized with pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs – after using a “Magic Nano” bathroom cleansing product, according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin.

Symptoms generally cleared up within 18 hours, although some had persistent breathing problems for days.

The spray is meant to be used on glass and ceramic surfaces to make them dirt- and water-repellent.

Nanotechnology is an emerging field of materials science involving substances smaller than one-ten-thousandth the width of a human hair.

(www.fortwayne.com)