The Continental Western Insurance Group (CWG) says that starting November 15, it will exclude coverage of what it calls "the, as of yet, unknown and unknowable risks created by the products and processes that involved nanotubes."

The insurance company says it plans to attach a nanotubes and nanotechnology exclusion to all policies issued for business owner, motor carrier, garage, and other insurance products.

According to a CWG statement:

"Reports have raised concerns regarding health risks from workers that may be inhaling carbon nanotubes during the manufacture of certain products. The carbon nanotubes resemble asbestos fibers in appearance, raising the concern that they may cause illness similar to that linked to asbestos."

Continental Western has called for further analysis into possible long-term effects of nano exposures.