Abstract  Wistar rats were nose-only exposed to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT, Baytubes) in a subchronic 13-week inhalation study. The focus of study was on respiratory tract and systemic toxicity, including analysis of MWCNT biokinetics in the lungs and lung-associated lymph nodes (LALNs). The time course and concentration dependence of pulmonary effects were examined by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and histopathology up to 6 months postexposure. Particular emphasis was directed to the comparative characterization of MWCNT structures prior to and after micronization and dry powder dispersion into inhalation chambers. These determinations were complemented by additional analyses in digested BAL cells. Animals were exposed on 6 h/day, 5 days per week for 13 consecutive weeks to 0, 0.1, 0.4, 1.5, and 6 mg/m3. The subchronic exposure to respirable solid aerosols of MWCNT was tolerated without effects suggestive of systemic toxicity. Kinetic analyses demonstrated a markedly delayed clearance of MWCNT from lungs at overload conditions. Translocation into LALNs occurred at 1.5 and 6 mg/m3 and required at least 13 weeks of study to become detectable. At these exposure levels, the lung and LALN weights were significantly increased. Sustained elevations in BAL polymorphonuclear neutrophils and soluble collagen occurred at these concentrations with borderline effects at 0.4 mg/m3. Histopathology revealed principal exposure-related lesions at 0.4 mg/m3 and above in the upper respiratory tract (goblet cell hyper- and/or metaplasia, eosinophilic globules, and focal turbinate remodeling) and the lower respiratory tract (inflammatory changes in the bronchioloalveolar region and increased interstitial collagen staining). Granulomatous changes and a time-dependent increase of a bronchioloalveolar hyperplasia occurred at 6 mg/m3. All end points examined were unremarkable at 0.1 mg/m3 (no-observed-adverse-effect-level). In summary, this study demonstrates that the induced pathological changes are consistent with overload-related phenomena. Hence, the etiopathological sequence of inflammatory events caused by this type of MWCNT appears to be related to the high displacement volume of the low-density MWCNT assemblage structure rather than to any yet ill-defined intrinsic toxic property. Thus, the hypothesis of study is verified, namely, common denominators between carbon black and MWCNT do exist.

Abstract  Potable water treatment facilities may become an important barrier in limiting human exposure to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) as ENPs begin to contaminate natural aquatic systems. Coagulation of ENPs will likely be a major process that controls the ENP fate and the subsequent removal in the aqueous phase. The influence that source water quality has on ENP coagulation is still relatively unknown. The current study uses a 2(3) x 2(4-1) fractional factorial design to identify seven key surface water constituents that affect multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) coagulation. These seven factors include: influent concentrations of kaolin, organic matter (OM), alginate, and MWCNTs; type and dosage of coagulant; and method of MWCNT stabilization. MWCNT removal was most affected by coagulant type and dosage, with alum outperforming ferric chloride at circumneutral pH. None of the other factors were universally significant but instead depended on coagulant type, dose, and method of stabilization. In all cases where factors were found to have a significant impact on MWCNT removal, however, the relationship was consistent: higher influent concentrations of kaolin and alginate improved MWCNT removal while higher influent concentrations of OM hindered MWCNT coagulation. Once MWCNTs are released into the natural environment, their coagulation behavior will be determined by the type and quantity of pollutants (i.e., factors) present in the aquatic environment and are governed by the same mechanisms that influence the colloidal stability of "natural" nanoparticles.

Abstract  Soluble carbon nanotubes show promise as materials for in vivo delivery and imaging applications. Several reports have described the in vivo toxicity of carbon nanotubes, but their effects on male reproduction have not been examined. Here, we show that repeated intravenous injections of water-soluble multiwalled carbon nanotubes into male mice can cause reversible testis damage without affecting fertility. Nanotubes accumulated in the testes, generated oxidative stress and decreased the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium in the testis at day 15, but the damage was repaired at 60 and 90 days. The quantity, quality and integrity of the sperm and the levels of three major sex hormones were not significantly affected throughout the 90-day period. The fertility of treated male mice was unaffected; the pregnancy rate and delivery success of female mice that mated with the treated male mice did not differ from those that mated with untreated male mice.

Abstract  The environmental assessment of nanomanufacturing during the initial process design phase should lead to the development of competitive, safe, and environmentally responsible engineering and commercialization. Given the potential benefits and concerns regarding the use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), three SWNT production processes have been investigated to assess their associated environmental impacts. These processes include arc ablation (arc), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and high-pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco). Without consideration of the currently unknown impacts of SWNT dispersion or other health impacts, life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used to analyze the environmental impact and provide a baseline for the environmental footprint of each manufacturing process. Although the technical attributes of the product resulting from each process may not be fully comparable, this study presents comparisons that show that the life cycle impacts are dominated by energy, specifically the electricity used in production. Under base case yield conditions, HiPco shows the lowest environmental impact, while the arc process has the lowest impact under best case yield conditions.

Abstract  The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for the hazardous substance described here. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a hazardous substance's toxicologic properties. Other pertinent literature is also presented, but is described in less detail than the key studies. The complete list of topics covered (chapter titles) is shown at the left and in more detail further down this page.

Abstract  Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess many unique electronic and mechanical properties and are thus interesting for numerous novel industrial and biomedical applications. As the level of production and use of these materials increases, so too does the potential risk to human health. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and challenges associated with conducting a human health risk assessment for carbon nanotubes based on the open literature, utilising an approach similar to that of a classical regulatory risk assessment. Results indicate that the main risks for humans arise from chronic occupational inhalation, especially during activities involving high CNT release and uncontrolled exposure. It is not yet possible to draw definitive conclusions with regards the potential risk for long, straight multi-walled carbon nanotubes to pose a similar risk as asbestos by inducing mesothelioma. The genotoxic potential of CNTs is currently inconclusive and could be either primary or secondary. Possible systemic effects of CNTs would be either dependent on absorption and distribution of CNTs to sensitive organs or could be induced through the release of inflammatory mediators. In conclusion, gaps in the data set in relation to both exposure and hazard do not allow any definite conclusions suitable for regulatory decision-making. In order to enable a full human health risk assessment, future work should focus on the generation of reliable occupational, environmental and consumer exposure data. Data on toxicokinetics and studies investigating effects of chronic exposure under conditions relevant for human exposure should also be prioritised.

Abstract  Understanding the phase distribution of nanoparticles between soils or sediments and water is a critical factor in determining their fate in environmental systems. As such, we examined the interactions of (14)C-labeled multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in aqueous systems with peat as a model solid organic material. MWNTs that had been treated with strong oxidative acids possessed negative charges on their surfaces and were relatively stable in deionized water. In the absence of peat, MWNTs aggregated when the concentration of sodium cations was above 4.0 mM or at a solution pH of 4.0. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) from peat effectively stabilized MWNTs in solution by making the suspended nanotubes less sensitive to changes in sodium concentration or solution pH. Direct sorption interactions between MWNTs and solid peat were not observed in the absence of sodium cations, whereas they became apparent when the ionic strength was sufficiently high to reduce electrostatic repulsion between peat and MWNTs.

Abstract  Carbonaceous materials (CMs), including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and black carbon have been suggested as potential remediation materials for hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in sediments or soils. However, the concentration-dependent and potential effects of CMs on the decrease in HOC bioavailability are not well understood. In this research, the effects of two types of multiwalled CNTs (MWNT-1 and MWNT-2) and chars (char-stalk produced from stalk and char-wood from wood) on the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including phenanthrene, pyrene, and chrysene, in the benthic organism Chironomus plumosus larvae were studied. When CM content was 1.5% or less in sediments, biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) values for PAHs decreased sharply as CM increased. However, when char and MWNT-1 content was greater than 1.5% in sediments, reduction rates of BSAF were slight. Furthermore, when MWNT-2 content was greater than 1.5%, BSAF values were elevated. This indicated that the MWNT-associated PAHs may have been absorbed by larvae through particle ingestion, and suggested that some CNTs may not be suitable for the remediation of HOC-contaminated sediments because they probably could increase the exposure risk of PAHs to benthic organisms, possibly because of their unique structure. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:202-209. © 2011 SETAC.

Abstract  Our society requires new materials for a sustainable future, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the most important advanced materials. This Review describes the state-of-the-art of CNT synthesis, with a focus on their mass-production in industry. At the nanoscale, the production of CNTs involves the self-assembly of carbon atoms into a one-dimensional tubular structure. We describe how this synthesis can be achieved on the macroscopic scale in processes akin to the continuous tonne-scale mass production of chemical products in the modern chemical industry. Our overview includes discussions on processing methods for high-purity CNTs, and the handling of heat and mass transfer problems. Manufacturing strategies for agglomerated and aligned single-/multiwalled CNTs are used as examples of the engineering science of CNT production, which includes an understanding of their growth mechanism, agglomeration mechanism, reactor design, and process intensification. We aim to provide guidelines for the production and commercialization of CNTs. Although CNTs can now be produced on the tonne scale, knowledge of the growth mechanism at the atomic scale, the relationship between CNT structure and application, and scale-up of the production of CNTs with specific chirality are still inadequate. A multidisciplinary approach is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the CNT industry.