Carbon Nanotubes may or may not impact health

Biodegradation of carbon nanotubes could mitigate potential toxic effects

In a communique dated November 11, 2008, Nanowerk Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh in the U.S. have found that the natural degradation of single-walled carbon nanotubes through enzymatic catalysis may have mitigating effects on their toxicity. Full details are available through the Nanowek web site at http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=8093.php .

Carbon Nanotubes show asbestos-like pathogenicity

Nature Nanotechnology in an online Letter Abstract, published 20 May 2008, had an article entitled " Carbon nanotubes introduced into the abdominal cavity of mice show asbestos-like pathogenicity in a pilot study" Full details are available through the Nature Nanotechnolgoy web site at http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v3/n7/abs/nnano.2008.111.html.

Commentary: High doses of material

There are a number of comments that have been made after this topic was published. Dr. Walt Trybula was quoted in Solid State Technology/WaferNews. Trybula told WaferNEWS that among the various types of asbestos, Crocidolite is the most dangerous, with a shape consisting of straight needle-like fibers. However, he pointed out, some experts suggest only lengths of >5micrometers are of concern, and in these experiments bundles of 20micrometers CNTs were the culprit. And, he said, some reports have noted the CNT doses in the UK study "were extremely high" -- and he added that massive amounts of ordinary drinking water, too, can be fatal.

But the issue of widening the known health/safety impact of CNTs and other new nanotechnologies is a real one. "We know there are potential issues," said Trybula. "We need to understand and address the problems." He noted that there have been some cases where people showed or exposed problems with nanotechnology and didn't follow up to help with answers or suggestions. "We need to have people that will fix the problem."

Full details are available through the WaferNews web site at "http://www.solid-state.com/display_article/329588/5/none/none/APPLI/CNT-asbestos-links-point-to-need-for-more-research,-say-expert.

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Commentary: Mesothelioma.com on the asbestos issue

Jennifer Miller, the Awareness and Outreach Director of Mesothelioma.com, link is [Mesothelioma.com] has provided a white paper on the subject, where she points out the need for additional research. The complete white paper is available through this link.

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Acknowledgements

Material on this site may be employed for furthering the issues of NANO-SAFETY as long as proper credit is given as to the source of the material. This effort includes a number of organizations, with the focal point being the Nanomaterials Application Center at Texas State University-San Marcos. Also, appreciation is expressed to the Trybula Foundation for providing support for the web site.

Comments

NANO-SAFETY should always be capitalized because there is nothing small with respect to safety efforts in nanotechnology.