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Published online 31 March 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.217

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Migrating nanotubes add to asbestos concern

Initial tests suggest the tiny tubes can pass through the lung lining.

Katharine Sanderson

Inhaled carbon nanotubes can move through the lining of the lungs to reach surrounding tissue, experiments in mice show.

The results, which are preliminary and have not been peer reviewed, add to concerns that exposure to nanotubes may cause damage much like that created by asbestos fibres.

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  • Further background to studies exploring similarities between some forms of carbon nanotubes and asbestos - including the Poland et al. study and the NIOSH work - can be found at: http://2020science.org/2009/03/26/new-carbon-nanotube-study-raises-the-health-impact-stakes/

    • 31 Mar, 2009
    • Posted by: Andrew Maynard

  • Probably a dozen reasons why not ... but is it possible that such an approach could be used for highly targeted drug treatments for things such as common variations of lung cancer?

    • 01 Apr, 2009
    • Posted by: Nathan Weatherdon