Nanotubes produce asbestos dangers in mice
Mice, especially lab mice, are constantly being subjected to the indignity of having strange things injected into their bodies. After being injected with different lengths and thicknesses of nanotubes, mice developed the same lung problems associated with asbestos use.
Why should we worry about nanotubes in mice? Because the same effects might occur in humans working with nanotube technology. Because nanotubes are strong and light weight, they are being used in more and more products, many of which don’t have to report their use.
Nanotubes pose very little risk in most products because they are encased, like in bicycle handlebars or baseball bats, but people who work with the nanotubes while creating the products or disposing of broken or old products could be exposed to possible harmful effects.
A recent study, reported in BBC News, showed that long thin nanotubes caused scarring and inflammation when injected into mice. Specifically, nanotubes more than 20 microns could not disposed of in the lungs in the same way that other foreign matter is.
The cells that usually enclose a foreign particle and protect the rest of the lung tissue, can’t enclose nanotubes larger than 20 microns. Since the larger nanotubes can’t be properly dealt with, they become stuck in the lung, causing problems. Although a suggestion has been made that inhaling nanotubes might lead to cancer, no study has shown a direct link between the two.
Several studies have been conducted on possible effects of having nanotubes loose in the atmosphere similar to loose asbestos. The studies are not conclusive and at least one arrives at a different outcome than the current study.
In another study, nanotubes were inhaled by mice. The results showed an inflammation in the lung that lasted for seven days and then the lungs returned to normal.
How nanotubes will affect humans after long term exposure is still unclear. But as these microscopic cylinders are used in more and more products, finding out how to prevent any damage to workers, or users for that matter is vital.
Being proactive and preventing any possible damage to workers is less costly in lives, and the cost of medical care.
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