Nanomaterials, the microscopic particles used in everything from medicine to electronics, sports goods to clothing, urgently need more safety testing and tighter regulation, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution said yesterday.

While the commission's investigation found no evidence of harm to either health or the environment from nanotechnology, it warned: "The pace at which new nanomaterials are being developed and marketed is beyond the capacity of existing testing regulatory arrangements to control the potential environmental impacts adequately."