3 ms·

Since the carcinogenic effect of asbestos is mostly caused by it's physical properties[1]; anything that resembles the shape of asbestos' micro-particles is als

by mxfh 12y ago

Since the carcinogenic effect of asbestos is mostly caused by it's physical properties[1]; anything that resembles the shape of asbestos' micro-particles is also highly suspected to be carcinogenic. The shape, size, and adsorbing nature of the fibers also appear to be critically important. Recently, doubts have arisen concerning the safety of commercially available carbon nanotubes,[2] which may possess the same carcinogenicity as asbestos fibers because of their similar characteristics. Ample care has to be taken to prevent a tragedy similar to the one caused by asbestos exposure.[1] [1] http://www.med.nagoya-u.ac.jp/medlib/nagoya_j_med_sci/7112/p001-010_Toyokuni.pdf http://www.med.nagoya-u.ac.jp/medlib/nagoya_j_med_sci/7112/p... [PDF] [2] http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v3/n7/abs/nnano.2008.111.html http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v3/n7/abs/nnano.2008.111... On making nanotubes less dangerous: Shorter is better http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.201207664/abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.201207664/ab...

001sky 12y ago
It's probably worth making the distinction that most people are exposed to "Carbon Fiber" as CRP[1], not "raw carbon fibers". And it is the ~aersolized bits raw carbon/dusts (the subject of this article) that are problematic. _________ [1] The german title is "Bundeswehr warnt vor Krebs durch Carbonfasern", and From the German wikipedia page "Carbonfasern" ... The fibers are mainly for the production of carbon fiber reinforced plastic used (CFRP = Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic). Derived from the English, the abbreviation CFRP (is english Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic) used.
- genericuser 12y ago
  Much like asbestos siding in that regard, where its not exactly being pumped into the air by most people, but people who work with it, for example sanding it, create a health hazard.
  - jpindar 12y ago
    And indeed one way of making existing asbestos building materials safe (or at least, safer) is by spraying plastic on them to encapsulate them.

by mxfh 12y ago

001sky 12y ago

It's probably worth making the distinction that most people are exposed to "Carbon Fiber" as CRP[1], not "raw carbon fibers". And it is the ~aersolized bits raw carbon/dusts (the subject of this article) that are problematic. _________ [1] The german title is "Bundeswehr warnt vor Krebs durch Carbonfasern", and From the German wikipedia page "Carbonfasern" ... The fibers are mainly for the production of carbon fiber reinforced plastic used (CFRP = Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic). Derived from the English, the abbreviation CFRP (is english Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic) used.

genericuser 12y ago
Much like asbestos siding in that regard, where its not exactly being pumped into the air by most people, but people who work with it, for example sanding it, create a health hazard.
- jpindar 12y ago
  And indeed one way of making existing asbestos building materials safe (or at least, safer) is by spraying plastic on them to encapsulate them.