The rapidly developing science, which involves particles as narrow as one-tenth the width of a human hair, is widely considered to have the potential to change the way we live and is already being used in everyday products such as sunscreen and cosmetics.

However, unions have called for stricter guidelines to help protect the health of workers and consumers after research in Scotland showed some nanotechnology materials might be as deadly as asbestos.

About 100 researchers at UOW and the Innovation Campus, including students, either study nanotechnology specifically or use the science in related research, such as developing new products.

Prof Wallace said his staff and students used the same safety standards that applied to all new chemistry research.

"With nanotechnology, it's like all research into new chemistry or new materials - as you discover these new compounds and new materials, you treat them with the utmost respect until all the properties are understood," he said.

"It's not black magic - it's standard chemistry and research that we have worked in for many years.

"However, I would agree that there are certain aspects of nanotechnology that we don't know enough about - that's why it's such an interesting area."

Prof Wallace supported discussion over stricter regulations but said research into health risks associated with nanotechnology wasn't new.

"I think we do need to understand what the health impacts are of those particular aspects of nanotechnology that are making it into the wider community," Prof Wallace said.

"We're all conscious that the safety of these new developments are as important, if not more important, than anything else we are doing, and that these safety aspects have to be well and truly sorted out before the research is made widely available."

The ACTU is calling for a mandatory national register of those importing, manufacturing, supplying and selling nanotechnology materials, as well as labels on all products that contain nanoparticles.

Prof Wallace did not think consumers of products made from nanotechnology needed to be concerned.

"However, I don't think it's unhealthy for people to be looking closely at what they are buying."