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Danger to humans from nanomaterial compared to asbestos risk
By: Scott Hendler
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Nanotechnology is a new area of science that promises to bring great improvements in many manufactured materials---for example, by giving greater strength, flexibility, and durability to plastics and metals. Some scientists, however, have been urging caution because the effects on the human body of the extremely tiny components used in this science are unknown.
The fight to stop the use of asbestos because of its ability to cause long-term and fatal disease in humans has been going on for decades. Since many nanomaterials are similar in size---or even smaller---than loose asbestos fibers, it only makes sense to test what happens to human tissue when exposed to them. Asbestos was considered a "miracle" material---its flexibility and fire retardant properties made it a common ingredient in hundreds of materials.
But the toll in human suffering from the unrestrained use of asbestos in manufacturing is only beginning to be felt. As the number of cases of mesothelioma continues to rise, the cost to workers and their families 30, 40 and 50 years later is tragic. It would be criminal to begin using another substance that had similar capabilities to infect humans with long-term disease and/or death.
A recent study compared the results when human epithelial cells were exposed to two different types of nanomaterials (the tiny fragments of matter used in nanotechnology) and to asbestos fibers. Epithelial cells are the cells in the linings of your body's organs and cavities (lungs, abdomen, etc.), which is where mesothelioma starts and grows.
The study results showed that one type of nanoparticle did slow down cell activity but didn't cause more cells to die. But the other (carbon black) nanotubes did not appear to affect the cells negatively. However, both types of asbestos fibers---chrysotile and crocidolite---entered deeply into the cells, slowed or stopped normal cell activity, and caused cell death (apoptosis).
It is tempting to conclude that all nanomaterials won't be as dangerous as asbestos fibers, but this study clearly indicates there were adverse effects with the nanotubes, though they didn't seem to reach into the human tissue. It's important for ordinary citizens to hold science accountable for what it releases into our lives. Objective tests of nanomaterials are a sign that at least some scientists are keeping the public good uppermost in their work.
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