4 ms·

At least we think about it. The miracle material, graphene, has properties that could potentially cause problems when breathed in [0]. So at least we know what

At least we think about it. The miracle material, graphene, has properties that could potentially cause problems when breathed in [0]. So at least we know what to look for and can mitigate. That said, who knows what other material might come about that causes problems 40 years later in a different way. We will learn when it comes but at least we’re starting to be more aware of potential problems. [0] https://www.materialstoday.com/carbon/articles/s1369702112701013/ https://www.materialstoday.com/carbon/articles/s136970211270...

ReptileMan 6y ago
If you really want to freak out - think xenoestrogens.
dylan604 6y ago
If we know that certain materials have certain negative repercussions, can we extrapolate any of that learning to new materials to see if they have similar properties?
shawnz 6y ago
Somewhat related: carbon nanotubes have been shown to cause mesothelioma, just like asbestos
- jhoechtl 6y ago
  That sounds amazing and seems like a huge set-back to certain envisioned application areas of carbon nanotubes. Do you have a link to a study?
  - shawnz 6y ago
    Here you are: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243371/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243371/
    - thedudeabides5 6y ago
      Interesting thanks. If this guy is to be believed, asbestos and other "amphiboles" are different from nanotubes insofar as they have small metal/iron content, which you can imagine reacting with oxygen in the lungs in a harmful way that something made from pure carbon may not. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuHL7hiFTnc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuHL7hiFTnc Now, on the other hand, if those carbon nanotube particles were all as sharp as tiny diamonds, you could imagine them being pretty bad to inhale.
raxxorrax 6y ago
That is why it is safe to chew on pencils but not putting them too deeply into your nose. Could be though, finding materials that are believed to be harmless and turn out deadly a lot later seems to occur quite regularly.

ReptileMan 6y ago

If you really want to freak out - think xenoestrogens.

dylan604 6y ago

If we know that certain materials have certain negative repercussions, can we extrapolate any of that learning to new materials to see if they have similar properties?

shawnz 6y ago

Somewhat related: carbon nanotubes have been shown to cause mesothelioma, just like asbestos

jhoechtl 6y ago
That sounds amazing and seems like a huge set-back to certain envisioned application areas of carbon nanotubes. Do you have a link to a study?
- shawnz 6y ago
  Here you are: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243371/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243371/
  - thedudeabides5 6y ago
    Interesting thanks. If this guy is to be believed, asbestos and other "amphiboles" are different from nanotubes insofar as they have small metal/iron content, which you can imagine reacting with oxygen in the lungs in a harmful way that something made from pure carbon may not. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuHL7hiFTnc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuHL7hiFTnc Now, on the other hand, if those carbon nanotube particles were all as sharp as tiny diamonds, you could imagine them being pretty bad to inhale.

raxxorrax 6y ago

That is why it is safe to chew on pencils but not putting them too deeply into your nose. Could be though, finding materials that are believed to be harmless and turn out deadly a lot later seems to occur quite regularly.