Mesothelioma threat of nanotubes
September 3, 2010
Carbon nanotubes, a new material used in pharmaceuticals electronics, and energy-efficient batteries, can the risk to workers, who use them for the development of mesothelioma. Nanotubes are both short and curly or long and thin . Carbon nanotubes are long, thin asbestos fibers comparable to the microscope, the shape and size. A recent study showed that carbon nanotubes behave like asbestos fibers in the body, and have the same potential for the emergence ofMesothelioma>.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium of slow growth, tissue lining the lungs and abdominal organs and the breast. By the time mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is very advanced so it is always fatal. Life expectancy after diagnosis, a question for months, sometimes a few years ago. There are treatments for symptoms of mesothelioma, but there is no known cure.
Half a century of medical research has foundthat the main cause of mesothelioma is the inhalation of asbestos fibers under the microscope. The fibers are so dangerous, because it is thin enough to be inhaled easily, and once inhaled, present in lung tissue. The body has mechanisms for clearing debris from the lungs, but also to its length, asbestos fibers are not easily erased, and can remain for decades, leading to changes at the cellular level, mesothelioma.
Carbon nanotubes are very lightweight but extremely strong. Because of these properties, are increasingly used in many high-tech applications. But for over a decade, nanotechnology is growing concern among scientists on the health effects of working with nanotubes, in particular the consequences of their inhalation.
In the study, published recently in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied the effects of long and short asbestos fibers released, short and long nanotubes andSoot in mice. The materials were injected into mice developed the abdominal cavity, where mesothelioma, results from abdominal procedures can anticipate the effect the lungs. Mice respond to the long carbon nanotubes was the same as their response to long asbestos fibers in both materials, the mice showed pathological changes in their tissue, mesothelioma are significant.
The authors of the study in-depth study of the context calledHealth and safety risks nanotubes. It is unclear what the risk of inhalation resulting current production processes, and if these nanotubes, once inhaled, will be incorporated into lung tissue. Producers must know whether their processes of nanotubes in order to allow in air and, if so, what protective equipment is needed to protect workers from inhalation. Disposal of materials, the long carbon nanotubes raises similar questions about the safety.
The mainSponsors security in the United States, State agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA and the Safety and Health Administration, OSHA. Neither is currently funding for safety studies of carbon nanotubes.
The study only on the diameter and length of fibers of carbon nanotubes. Many other questions remain about the nanotubes into other elements are combined with carbon and human health impacts of these compounds.
Nanotube technology andManufacturing is still in its infancy, and the pressure, these versatile materials are used to be huge. This is the time to determine what health and environmental impacts of these materials, and the Implementation of Security Measures necessary. Otherwise, a new generation of American workers face the prospect of a disastrous and avoidable cancer.
Filed under: Mesothelioma Attorney San Diego
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