Product development will always outstrip our understanding of risk, but there is a lot we can do to narrow that gap.

But the research into the risks isn't being done as efficiently or quickly as it should.

Pump-action sprays typically form droplets that are much larger than those from aerosol cans. These are less likely to reach the sensitive deep lung when inhaled.

Either way, this incident is a wake-up call to the industry because it highlights the problems we face if we don't do diligence with this new technology.

They seem to be more open about finding out what's going on rather than saying they have everything under control.

Nanotechnology's potential is vast and it's real. The opportunity for nanotechnology ranges from improving Olympic sports equipment to discovering better treatments for Alzheimer's disease. But our ability to reap the long-term benefits of nanotechnology -- in areas from energy production to medicine -- will depend on how well industry and government manage the safety and performance of this first generation of products.