According to an animal study published in the journal American Journal of Contemporary Biology, long carbon nanotubes widely used in industrial and consumer products may have similar carcinogenic effects to asbestos.
Researchers from the British Medical Research Council and the University of Leicester implant long carbon nanotubes into the pleura of mice. As a result, chronic inflammation, activation of oncogenic signaling pathways, and inactivation and loss of anti-oncogenes were observed. Finally, 32 As many as a quarter of mice have mesothelioma.
Professor Marion McFarlane of the British Medical Research Council responsible for the study said: "Unlike the short-term studies previously reported, this is the first observation of the effects of long carbon nanotubes in mice for months in a row and was found to result in Mesothelioma.
The researchers point out that not all nanofibers can be harmful, and the newest finding applies only to long carbon nanotubes that do not break down in the body. "Long, thin carbon nanotubes are structurally and physically similar to asbestos , 'Explains McFarlane.' The immune system does a good job of identifying shorter, thicker, or entangled nanotubes that can be swallowed by macrophages and cleared out of the body. '
The researchers hope this finding will help manufacturers choose safer nanomaterials in the design and manufacturing of related products.
Long carbon nanotubes are a type of nanotubes with the advantages of light weight and high strength. They are widely used in the production of industrial and consumer products such as helmets, bicycles, aircraft and computer motherboards.