I have a new small town. It's not anywhere in particular, or maybe it's everywhere.

Weather conditions kept helicopters from flying to the village Wednesday morning, but they conducted 36 evacuation flights in the afternoon, Garcia Belaunde said.

Some said they doubt they will ever be able to go home and suggested their entire towns simply be relocated and many worry about long-term health effects of radiation.

But South African citizens, mainly from the poor black townships, argue that an attack could not be ruled out.

Like any new technology, community acceptance is essential if nanotechnology is to effectively work in villages across the developing world, where water problems are often the most acute.