Carbon Nanotubes like asbestos? Big delay for nanotubes?

[Roderick_Femm]

This storywhich is very preliminary of course, causes concern in my not-particularly-scientific brain that development and use of carbon nanotubes, especially for everyday objects, will be seriously delayed while this health research goes on.

One of the most promising materials for the future of technology, carbon nanotubes, might be as harmful as asbestos if inhaled, according to a new study published today in the scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Animal studies indicate that these long and very thin carbon molecules could cause a cancer called mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs.

And if the research produces bad results (i.e. nanotubes do behave like asbestos) it seems as if it could be a major block to further development in this area.

I’m just thinking of the way that the mention of the word “asbestos” causes panic and expense, since any finding of asbestos immediately causes multiple environmental laws to come into play and requires the use of a licensed asbestos abatement company.

Enlighten my ignorance, please?
Roddy

[duncfoo]

Phys Org has a more complete version of the article: Carbon nanotubes that look like asbestos, behave like asbestos

The specific study looks at long thin Carbon nanotubes pathogenic response in mice for mesothelioma. It seems they have the same response as asbestos but we can’t really know if they would have in outer lung tissue. More studies abound!

A specific thing to keep in mind, this is only one specific kind of carbon nano tube, long and thin. Also the commercial applications of CNT are being explored at the same time of their potential health risks are, much the opposite of asbestos.

Its really a “Too Early to Tell, Give Us More Monies” study then anything indicative of the actual health hazards of CNT. Lets see what test show for how aspiriable (is this even a word…) and more importantly what effect they could have in actual lung tissue.

But yeah. Asbestos is a giant scare word. I think the most important thing is that testing for health effects is being done BEFORE widespread commercial application. Heck they are still trying to come up with effective ways to make the things in the ways they want to.

[Phlosphr]

I think it’s going to put research in a new direction, on a new track so to speak. I bet they find a way to make them smaller or from a different element that is not as harmful in that small medium. That’s what is happening in a lot of industries now, can’t have anything small enough. Look at the iPod.

[jk1245]

If true, this could be a problem, due to fear-mongering if nothing else. The asbestos issue was largely hype and lawsuit driven. Asbestos IS harmful, but only if inhaled over a long period of type. It’s not the nuclear waste that some made it out to be. If a connection is made between nanotubes and “asbestos”, it could bring that research to a screeching halt.

For the nanotubes, it will come down to how easy is it for the materials to be released and inhaled. I would think that a plastic made with tubes would be very low-risk, but we’ll have to wait and see, I guess.

[Bryan_Ekers]

And the cure for lung cancer? Nanosurgery.

[Zomling]

@jk1245

If true, this could be a problem, due to fear-mongering if nothing else. The asbestos issue was largely hype and lawsuit driven. Asbestos IS harmful, but only if inhaled over a long period of type. It’s not the nuclear waste that some made it out to be. If a connection is made between nanotubes and “asbestos”, it could bring that research to a screeching halt.

For the nanotubes, it will come down to how easy is it for the materials to be released and inhaled. I would think that a plastic made with tubes would be very low-risk, but we’ll have to wait and see, I guess.

Asbestos is harmful, but there is no definite data on whether a single exposure will cause illness eventually or long term exposure, what is true is that it takes a long while for symptoms to show (20-30 years on average according to H&S courses I’ve been on).

I hope there is not a problem with nanotubes/wires as I am about to start working with them. However, I work for a responsible employer, so I’m sure we will take all necessary precautions (breathing gear etc).

[MarcusF]

I heard one of the authors of the report on the BBC. The point he made was not about the use of the materials - once they are bound in a matrix there is not a problem - it was the need for effective precautions in plants where they are manufactured. It was the workforce, not the users, that have cause for concern.

[mswas]

Aren’t carbon nanotubes generally used to reinforce steel anyway? So the likelihood of them being airborne being kind of low? Or at least other similar applications are similarly concealed within the apparatus, as opposed to being the insulation in the home.

[NurseCarmen]

They aren’t used in steel, the idea is that once a manufacturing method is perfected, they will essentially be the new steel.

Myself, I am impressed that a consensus came together and decided that health impacts need to be researched before they get too deep into manufacturing methodology.

Nanotubes are still very much in their infancy.

[outlierrn]

FWIW the handlebar on my mountain bike is listed as a carbon nanotube composite

[Bryan_Ekers]

@outlierrn

FWIW the handlebar on my mountain bike is listed as a carbon nanotube composite

Well, for God’s sake, don’t inhale it.

[NurseCarmen]

@outlierrn

FWIW the handlebar on my mountain bike is listed as a carbon nanotube composite

They are. wow.

Current applications

The only current application, as of April 2008, where carbon nanotubes are, mainly non-experimentally, in regular use, are as electric brushes.

The exception is with bulk nanotubes, which is a mass of rather unorganized fragments of nanotubes. Bulk nanotube materials may never achieve a tensile strength similar to that of individual tubes, but such composites may nevertheless yield strengths sufficient for many applications. Bulk carbon nanotubes have already been used as composite fibers in polymers to improve the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the bulk product.

Carbon nanotubes have also been successfully used in the construction of handlebars for mountain bikes. The handlebar, created by Easton, is the EC70 DH, which has won awards for its incredible strength and light weight.

[edit] Other applications

Carbon nanotubes have also been implemented in nanoelectromechanical systems, including mechanical memory elements (NRAM being developed by Nantero Inc.) and nanoscale electric motors (see Nanomotor).

Carbon nanotubes have also been proposed as a possible gene delivery vehicle and for use in combination with radiofrequency fields to destroy cancer cells. [73] [74]

Nanomix Inc was the first to put on the market an electronic device that integrated carbon nanotubes on a silicon platform, in May 2005[75]. It was a Hydrogen sensor. Since then Nanomix has been patenting many such sensor applications such as in the field of carbon dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, glucose, DNA detection etc…

Eikos Inc of Franklin, Massachusetts and Unidym Inc. of Silicon Valley, California are developing transparent, electrically conductive films of carbon nanotubes to replace indium tin oxide (ITO). Carbon nanotube films are substantially more mechanically robust than ITO films, making them ideal for high reliability touch screens and flexible displays. Printable water-based inks of carbon nanotubes are desired to enable the production of these films to replace ITO.[76] Nanotube films show promise for use in displays for computers, cell phones, PDAs, and ATMs.

Carbon nanotubes are said to have the strength of diamond, and research is being made into weaving them into clothes to create stab-proof and bulletproof clothing. The nanotubes would effectively stop the bullet from penetrating the body but the force and velocity of the bullet would be likely to cause broken bones and internal bleeding.

I was going to call bullshit. I thought they weren’t making enough to use for manufacturing. Cool.

[outlierrn]

@Bryan Ekers

Well, for God’s sake, don’t inhale it.

what about through it