Are Carbon Nanotubes the Next Asbestos?

Nanotechnology is the catch-all term used to describe, in short, science and engineering on an insanely small scale. Carbon nanotubes one of the more common nanoscale structures in use today are long, thin cylinders of carbon roughly 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

These molecular scale tubes are stronger than steel yet lighter than aluminum and today, they are being developed for use in a variety of consumer products. But under a microscope, CNTs look identical to asbestos fibers, leading scientists to believe that they could cause similar health problems. In this video we traveled to North Carolina State University to meet Dr. Jamie Bonner to learn more about his research on the potential toxicity of carbon nanotubes.

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Science & Technology

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• carbon nanotubes
• nano
• nanotechnology
• toxicology
• asbestos
• mesothelioma
• science in the triangle
• NCMLS
• Museum
• Jamie Bonner
• NC State
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• life
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[mikejmcc1970]

what was it that asbestos was going to do in the way of changing the world that is on the level of carbon nanotubes?

Sounds like hyperbole.

[ncmls]

Thanks for your comment. In looking back at the statement "it was once believed that asbestos would revolutionize the world, I could have said that it was thought that asbestos would revolutionize the manufacturing industry (due to its unique properties). But then again, the manufacturing industry has the potential to revolutionize the world doesnt it?

[ncmls]

Adapted from Wikipedia:

Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, its sound absorption and tensile strength. By the mid 20th century uses included fire retardant coatings, concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, heat, fire, and acid resistant gaskets, pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, and drywall joint compound.

[RegressLess]

This seems a bit ridiculous when you consider that we don't intend to use nanotubes the way we used asbestos. Yes, in their current state, the potential harm is obvious, but we do not intend to use them as loose fibers. When we figure out how to bind the tubes together to make a structure, they will no longer be dangerous in this way.

[bodinian]

I am a chemist and I do agree that asbestos and carbon nanotubes can cause similar problems when inhaled, but due to the particular cost of the material (far more expensive than asbestos, which is a natural mineral) and the very different applications of them, they are less likely to be inhaled. In the event that they are, they are still not made out of the same material as asbestos so they are likely to have very different effects on the body, regardless of their physical similarity.

[Zyphyr104]

dammit if this does affect us in an adverse way we might not ever build an orbital elevator or at least in my life time 

[dragonamt]

The type of asbestos used in insulation (90% is white asbestos) isn't as dangerous as was thought, it is low density and easily expelled from the lungs. Brown and grey are relatively dangerous because of greater density and are very hazardous to asbestos miners as grey and brown asbestos veins almost always accompany white asbestos. The mechanism through which cellular damage is introduced is not understood as asbestos is actually a fairly inert mineral.

[masterman3178]

this video tells me nothing new about nano tubes except that they may or may not be dangrous and they need to do research. i could have figured that out on my own. i mean i could tell you the man down the street may or may not be a killer but that does not really help you much does it.

[circusboy90210]

that does not change that asbestos did revolutionize the world though.

[purklefluff]

@RegressLess yes but the video has a point. it's not just referring to the consumer - it's referring to the people involved with the manufacture of such substances as well. sure when they're bound within a medium they are safe, but someone's got to make them in their raw state first, and then add the binder. potential hazard right there.

i mean it doesn't take a genius to realise that this video is basically a journalist reporting on what is essentially a plain boring old risk assessment.

[circusboy90210]

@ncmls because it does and it did.

[RivelDog1]

good work, keep it up!

[EricNyhmfan]

/agree I guess the only problem that might be caused is an industrial leak when they make the nanotubes they are like dust since they are so small they might leak out of the factory. But as long as each on is shorter than a micron the macrophages should have a chance at gobbling them up.