Before asbestos was classified as a pathogen and a menace to the lungs of those chronically exposed to the substance, many builders and manufacturers embraced the “wonder” material for years. Because of its heat-conducting properties, strength, and other qualities, long carbon nanotubes could be progressing down a similar path, in terms of widespread usage. Despite the structures' burgeoning popularity and immense promise, however, some speculate that they could possess a fatal flaw: asbestos-like toxicity.
In fact, a recent report published in Nature Nanotechnology has raised some eyebrows regarding the safety of longer strands of carbon nanotubes in an array of applications. Below is an excerpt from the letter, which draws upon research conducted by British institutes and the U.S.-based Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.
“Carbon nanotubes have distinctive characteristics, but their needle-like fiber shapes have been compared to asbestos, raising concerns that widespread use of carbon nanotubes may lead to mesothelioma, cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.”
In the pilot study, the researchers injected carbon nanotubes into the abdominal cavities of mice and then documented the results. A close examination of the lining of the abdominal cavities revealed that the nanotubes caused inflammation akin to asbestos exposure. In addition, there was evidence of “the formation of lesions known as granulomas.”
Whether the structures pose a detriment is debatable, and it is premature to dub nanotubes as “the next asbestos.” The general consensus is that this is a topic that warrants further research. In the published letter, the researchers urged companies to “exercise great caution before introducing carbon nanotube-based products into the market if long-term harm is to be avoided.”
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