Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanofibres: More Than a Cobweb
Enrico Bergamaschi,
Giacomo Garzaro,
Georgia Wilson Jones,
Martina Buglisi,
Michele Caniglia,
Alessandro Godono,
Davide Bosio,
Ivana Fenoglio,
Irina Guseva Canu
Affiliations
Enrico Bergamaschi
Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Torino, Italy
Giacomo Garzaro
Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Torino, Italy
Georgia Wilson Jones
Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Torino, Italy
Martina Buglisi
Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Torino, Italy
Michele Caniglia
Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Torino, Italy
Alessandro Godono
Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Torino, Italy
Davide Bosio
Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10126 Torino, Italy
Ivana Fenoglio
Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy
Irina Guseva Canu
Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Lausanne, Switzerland
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are erroneously considered as singular material entities. Instead, they should be regarded as a heterogeneous class of materials bearing different properties eliciting particular biological outcomes both in vitro and in vivo. Given the pace at which the industrial production of CNTs/CNFs is increasing, it is becoming of utmost importance to acquire comprehensive knowledge regarding their biological activity and their hazardous effects in humans. Animal studies carried out by inhalation showed that some CNTs/CNFs species can cause deleterious effects such as inflammation and lung tissue remodeling. Their physico-chemical properties, biological behavior and biopersistence make them similar to asbestos fibers. Human studies suggest some mild effects in workers handling CNTs/CNFs. However, owing to their cross-sectional design, researchers have been as yet unable to firmly demonstrate a causal relationship between such an exposure and the observed effects. Estimation of acceptable exposure levels should warrant a proper risk management. The aim of this review is to challenge the conception of CNTs/CNFs as a single, unified material entity and prompt the establishment of standardized hazard and exposure assessment methodologies able to properly feed risk assessment and management frameworks.
