Reviewing the Environmental and Human Health Knowledge Base of Carbon Nanotubes
2007

Review of Carbon Nanotubes and Their Impact on Health and Environment

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Helland Aasgeir, Wick Peter, Koehler Andreas, Schmid Kaspar, Som Claudia

Primary Institution: Technology and Society Lab, EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research), St. Gallen, Switzerland

Hypothesis

What are the potential risks of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to human health and the environment?

Conclusion

The review suggests that carbon nanotubes can have harmful effects on human health and the environment, and their properties can change throughout their life cycle.

Supporting Evidence

  • Different types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have varying properties and potential risks.
  • CNTs can accumulate in the food chain and persist in the environment.
  • Exposure to CNTs can lead to inflammation and other health issues in animal studies.
  • Standardization in CNT studies is necessary for better comparability of results.

Takeaway

Carbon nanotubes are tiny materials that can be harmful to people and the environment, and we need to study them more to understand their effects.

Methodology

The review integrates literature and interviews with leading scientists to assess the risks of CNTs.

Limitations

The review highlights many unanswered questions and the need for better standardization in studies of CNTs.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1289/ehp.9652

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