A Brief History of Asbestos Use and Associated Health Risks

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Carbon nanotubes introduced into the abdominal cavity of mice show asbestos-like pathogenicity in a pilot study

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Nature Nanotechnology
Published online: 20 May 2008 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.111

Carbon nanotubes introduced into the abdominal cavity of mice show asbestos-like pathogenicity in a pilot study

Craig A. Poland1, Rodger Duffin1, Ian Kinloch2, Andrew Maynard3, William A. H. Wallace1, Anthony Seaton4, Vicki Stone5, Simon Brown1, William MacNee1 & Ken Donaldson1

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes1 have distinctive characteristics2, but their needle-like fibre shape has been compared to asbestos3, raising concerns that widespread use of carbon nanotubes may lead to mesothelioma, cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos4. Here we show that exposing the mesothelial lining of the body cavity of mice, as a surrogate for the mesothelial lining of the chest cavity, to long multiwalled carbon nanotubes results in asbestos-like, length-dependent, pathogenic behaviour. This includes inflammation and the formation of lesions known as granulomas. This is of considerable importance, because research and business communities continue to invest heavily in carbon nanotubes for a wide range of products5 under the assumption that they are no more hazardous than graphite. Our results suggest the need for further research and great caution before introducing such products into the market if long-term harm is to be avoided.

1. MRC/University of Edinburgh, Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
2. School of Materials, University of Manchester, Grosvenor Street, Manchester M1 7HS, UK
3. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20004-3027, USA
4. Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
5. School of Life Sciences, Napier University, Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, UK

Correspondence to: Ken Donaldson1 e-mail: ken.donaldson@ed.ac.uk

Technorati Tags: Health, Nanotechnology, Nanotubes, Safety,