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Risks associated with carbon nanotubes
Risks associated with carbon nanotubes
By AVICENN Team – Last Added March 2022
Because of their long, fibrous shape reminiscent of asbestos, carbon nanotubes raised serious concerns about their toxicity very early on.
After many years, and one last consultation during the summer of 2021, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) validated in March 2022 the classification as carcinogenic by inhalation (cat. 1B) of long multi-walled carbon (nano)tubes. This applies to those with a diameter ≥ 30 nm and < 3 μm, a length ≥ 5 μm and an aspect ratio > 3:11See Echa's Rac agrees to carcinogenic classification for multi-walled carbon tubes, Chemical Watch, March 23, 2022 . This classification follows the submission of a dossier by Germany for the inclusion of the substance in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.
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In May 2014, the French Health Security Agency (ANSES) recommended a classification of carbon nanotubes as dangerous substances so that measures can be put in place to restrict the use or even ban the use of certain applications for the general public.
In 2015, the Society for the study, protection and development of nature in the South-West (SEPANSO) warned of the risks associated with the production of carbon nanotubes by Arkema in Mont (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) in asking for production to stop until the harmlessness of nanos is established for employees, consumers and the environment2See Mont: carbon nanotubes in the crosshairs of Sepanso, The Republic of the Pyrenees, February 25, 2015; see also ANSES, Opinion relating to "the risk assessment related to GRAPHISTRENGTH C100 carried out within the framework of the Genesis program", Nov. 28 2013.
In November 2019, carbon nanotubes are the first nanomaterials to integrate the SinList, list of substances to be replaced urgently because they are too dangerous3See With its SinList, the NGO ChemSec alerts a non-expert public to chemical risks, Novethic, November 2019 and New chemicals on the SIN List challenge the global supply chain, ChemSec, November 2019.
In the same month, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work awarded the 2018-2019 Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Award to Atlas Copco Industrial Technique, a Swedish manufacturing company that has taken a precautionary approach to minimize worker exposure to carbon nanotubes4See Sweden: protection of workers against potentially dangerous carbon nanotubes in the manufacturing sector, OSHA Europe, November 2, 2019.
In July 2020, ECHA published an assessment report on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT), the tube-shaped and entangled synthetic graphite, carried out by the German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)5See SUBSTANCE EVALUATION CONCLUSION as required by REACH Article 48 and EVALUATION REPORT for Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT), synthetic graphite in tubular shape and tangled, BAuA / ECHA, July 2020. The report points out that the information required on January 1, 2020 under REACH had not yet been (sufficiently) fulfilled by the registrants and that additional measures are therefore necessary, starting with a compliance check. Once the data required by REACH is provided by the companies, ECHA can decide if additional information is needed. ECHA urges registrants to update their dossiers and/or develop testing proposals to comply with REACH requirements.
In the United States, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published several significant new use regulations (SNURs) for carbon nanotubes, requiring anyone wishing to manufacture, import or process, at commercial purposes, these carbon nanotubes that it notifies the EPA at least 90 days before:
- one in 2020, concerning free PMN P-15-54 (ie not included in a matrix)6See Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (20-1.5e) – § 721.11467Carbon nanotubes (generic), EPA, September 17, 2020, which entered into force on 16 November 2020
- one in 2021, concerning multiwall PMN P-18-1827See Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances § 721.11361 Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (generic), EPA, August 18, 2021
In 2021, carbon nanotubes have been identified as one of the four categories of nanomaterials most at risk by a team from University College Dublin8See A semiquantitative risk ranking of potential human exposure to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in Europe, Li, Y and Cummins, E, Science of the Total Environment, 778, July 2021.
Explore the bibliography below to learn more.
In French :
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INRS, Long-term exposure of BEAS-2B cells to low concentrations of MWCNT is responsible for induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Barthel H et al., Nanomaterials, 11, 1742, 2021
- Françoise Pons (University of Strasbourg), Impact of physicochemical characteristics on the respiratory inflammatory and pro-allergenic effect of manufactured nanoparticles, presentation at the ANSES & ADEME Scientific Meetings on air quality, 17 October 2019
- Flahaut E et al., Toxicity of carbon nanotubes to humans and the environment, Engineering techniquesOctober 2018
- elector, Long fiber carbon nanotubes are carcinogenicNovember 2017
- HANDLES, Impacts of carbon nanotubes on health: relation structure inflammatory effects, Hadj-Ziane-Zafour A., Scientific watch bulletin, No. 32, October 2017
- IARC, Monograph – Carcinogenicity of carbon nanotubes, Vol.111, 2017
- Chakroun R, Influence on the toxic effects of simultaneous exposure to nanoparticles and metals, Scientific watch bulletin No. 30, ANSES, October 2016
- Dekali S, Carbon nanotubes: new advances on exposure models for the study of health hazards, Scientific watch bulletin No. 30, ANSES, October 2016
- Larue C, Where are we on the ecotoxicology of carbon nanotubes?, Scientific watch bulletin No. 29, ANSES, September 2016
- CNRS, Carbon nanoparticles: a better assessment of their toxicity, June 2 2016
- Elgrabi D et al., How do carbon nanotubes degrade in the human body?, press release, Paris Diderot University, December 9, 2015 (scientific publication in English here)
- Loic Chauveau, In Paris, carbon nanotubes in the lungs of asthmatic children, Science & Future, Oct. 23 2015
- "Imogolite nanotubes: a new model material in nanotoxicology?" by Rose J et al., in Participant's file prepared for the Restitution of the National Environmental and Occupational Health Research Program (PNREST)October 2015
- C. Endes et al., Cotton fibers instead of carbon nanotubes, PNR 64, May 2015
- The Republic of the Pyrenees, Mont: carbon nanotubes in the crosshairs of Sepanso, February 25 2015
- Bourdiola F et al., Measuring the impact of carbon nanotubes in the environment, CNRS, January 2015
- Figarol A. In vitro toxicity and physico-chemical properties of carbon nanotubes, thesis, National School of Mines of Saint-Etienne, November 2014
- Flahaut E, Assessment of the potential environmental impact of carbon nanotubes, Nanomaterials Industrial Days, Armines, (video), April 2014
- Boudard D, In vitro biotoxicity of Carbon Nanotubes, Nanomaterials Industrial Days, Armines, (video), April 2014
- AtouHealth, Toxicology of nanotubes - Analogy carbon nanotubes and asbestos - Workplace exposure limit valueMarch 2014
- Engineering Techniques, Mitigating the toxicity of carbon nanotubes through chemical functionalization, January 10 2014
- HANDLES, Opinion relating to "the risk assessment related to GRAPHISTRENGTH C100 carried out within the framework of the Genesis program", November 28, 2013 (posted January 9, 2014)
- Veillenanos, Health effects of carbon nanotubes – Avoiding the mistakes of asbestos, 26 Nov 2013
- Mouchet F. et al., Carbon nanotubes: what risks for the environment?, Biofuture, 32/347, 29-33, October 2013: work has revealed acute (mortality, reduced mobility) and chronic (growth inhibition) toxicity effects, mainly linked to their ingestion by exposed organisms, but to concentrations qualified as not representative from an environmental point of view (from 10 mg/L).
- CNRS, Long carbon nanotubes, similar risks to asbestos?, January 15 2013
- HANDLES, Toxicity and ecotoxicity of carbon nanotubes – News note, State of the art 2011-2012November 2012
- HANDLES, Opinion on "the risk assessment related to GRAPHISTRENGTH C100 carried out within the framework of the Genesis program", (carbon nanotubes), April 2012
- Electronic Bulletins Sweden, Swedish study warns of health risks carbon nanotubes may have, March 7 2011
- HCSP, Notice regarding worker safety when exposed to carbon nanotubes, Referral of June 16, 2008 from the Director General of Health, January 7, 2009.
- INRS, Carbon nanotubes: what risks, what prevention?, Briefing Note, 2008
In English :
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Inflammatory response, reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in mice after intrapleural exposure to carbon nanotubes, RS Wils et al., Toxicological Sciences, September 2021
- Multi-Walled Carbon Tubes (synthetic graphite in tubular shape) with a geometric tube diameter range ≥ 30 nm to ＜3 μm and a length ≥ 5 μm and aspect ratio > 3:1, including Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes; [MWC(N)T]: Carc Classification. 1B, H350i, STOT RE 1, H372, ECHA, 2021
- Continuous Long-Term Exposure to Low Concentrations of MWCNTs Induces an Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in BEAS-2B Cells, Barthel H et al., Nanomaterials, 11(7), 1742, 2021
- A semiquantitative risk ranking of potential human exposure to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in Europe, Li, Y and Cummins, E, Science of the Total Environment, 778, July 2021
- Understanding the Broad Class of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers (CNT/F) Used or Produced in US Facilities, Erdely A et al., NIOSH Science blog, January 5, 2021
- Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (20-1.5e) – § 721.11467Carbon nanotubes (generic), EPA, September 17, 2020
- Science for Environment policy, Incinerating nano-enabled thermoplastics linked to increased PAH emissions and toxicity, European Commission DG Environment News Alert Service, 508, 24 May 2018
- Laux P et al., Challenges in characterizing the environmental fate and effects of carbon nanotubes and inorganic nanomaterials in aquatic systems, (Critical Review), About. Science: Nano, 5, 48-63, 2018
- Line C, Carbon nanotubes: Impacts and behavior in the terrestrial ecosystem – A review, Carbon, 123: 767-785, October 2017
- Chernova T et al., Long-fiber carbon nanotubes replicate asbestos-induced mesothelioma with disruption of the tumor suppressor gene, Current Biology, 27( 21), 3302–3314, November 2017 (see the summary in French: Long fiber carbon nanotubes are carcinogenic, elektor, November 2017
- Mottier A et al., Environmental impact of engineered carbon nanoparticles: from releases to effects on the aquatic biota Environmental impact of engineered carbon nanoparticles: from releases to effects on the aquatic biota, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 46, 1-6, August 2017
- Carbon nanotubes: Impacts and behavior in the terrestrial ecosystem – A review, Line C et al., Carbon, 123; 767-785, July 2017
- IARC, IARC Monographs – Some Nanomaterials and Some Fibers, Volume 111, 2017
- OECD, Single-Walled Carbon NanotubesJuly 2016
- Mottier A et al., Surface Area of Carbon Nanoparticles: A Dose Metric for a More Realistic Ecotoxicological Assessment, Nano Letters, 16 (6): 3514-3518, 2016
- Polimeni M et al., Multi-walled carbon nanotubes directly induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human bronchial epithelial cells…, Particle and Fiber Toxicology, 13:27, June 2016
- Zeng W et al., The influence of inhaled multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the autonomic nervous system, PF&T, 13:8, 2016
- Elgrabli D et al., Carbon Nanotube Degradation in Macrophages: Live Nanoscale Monitoring and Understanding of Biological Pathway, DHW Nano, 9 (10): 10113-10124, 2015
- Schubauer-Berigan MK et al., Epidemiologic studies of US workers handling carbon nanotubes: the interface between exposure and health, NIOSH (USA), slideshow presented at the “Quantifying Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials Workshop”, July 2015
- Big Y et al, Carcinogenicity of fluoro-edenite, silicon carbide fibers and whiskers, and carbon nanotubes, 15(13): 1427-1428, December 2014
- Vasyl Harik, Carbon Nanotubes and Safetyin Trends in Nanoscale Mechanics, August 2014, pp 197-211
- Powers CM et al. Sparking Connections: Toward Better Linkages Between Research and Human Health Policy – An Example with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Toxicological Sciences, 141(1): 6-17, Jun 2014
- Schierz A et al., Fate of single walled carbon nanotubes in wetland ecosystems, About. Science: Nano 2014
- Czarny B et al., Carbon Nanotube Translocation to Distant Organs after Pulmonary Exposure: Insights from in Situ 14C-Radiolabeling and Tissue Radioimaging, DHW Nano, 8 (6): 5715-5724, May 2014
- IARC, IARC Advisory Group Recommends Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as High Priority, May 14 2014
- The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, Precarious Promise: A Case Study of Engineered Carbon Nanotubes, University of Massachusetts Lowell, March 2014
- Gernand JM and Casman EA, A Meta-Analysis of Carbon Nanotube Pulmonary Toxicity Studies -How Physical Dimensions and Impurities Affect the Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes, Risk Analysis, 34(3): 583-597, Mar 2014
- Siegrist KJ et al., Genotoxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes at occupationally relevant doses, Particle and Fiber Toxicology, 11:6, 2014
- Nymark P., et al., Free radical scavenging and formation by multi-walled carbon nanotubes in cell free conditions and in human bronchial epithelial cells, Particle and Fiber Toxicology, 11:4, 2014
- Sargent LM et al., Promotion of lung adenocarcinoma following inhalation exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes, Particle and Fiber Toxicology, January 2014, 11:3
- FIOH (Finland), Evaluation of the health effects of carbon nanotubesOctober 2013
- RISS (Japan), Guide to measuring airborne carbon nanotubes in workplaces, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan), October 2013
- Mercer et al., Extrapulmonary transport of MWCNT following inhalation exposure, Particle and Fiber Toxicology, 10:38, Aug 2013
A remark, a question? This sheet produced by AVICENN is intended to be supplemented and updated. Please feel free to contribute.
The next nano appointments
- 14th meeting of the “nano and health” dialogue committee
- Organizer: ANSES
- Website : www.anses.fr
- Technical Day
- Organizer: National Metrology and Testing Laboratory (LNE)
- On the agenda: identification of nanomaterials, recent technological innovations in terms of particle size characterization, areas for progress to be considered
- Upcoming program
- Website : www.lne.fr/…
- 8th International Conference on Health Issues for a Responsible Approach to Nanomaterials
- June 5-9, 2023
- Organizer: Commissariat for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies (CEA)
- Website : www.cea.fr/cea-tech/pns/nanosafe/…
This sheet was originally created in December 2013
Notes & references
- 1See Echa's Rac agrees to carcinogenic classification for multi-walled carbon tubes, Chemical Watch, March 23, 2022
- 2See Mont: carbon nanotubes in the crosshairs of Sepanso, The Republic of the Pyrenees, February 25, 2015; see also ANSES, Opinion relating to "the risk assessment related to GRAPHISTRENGTH C100 carried out within the framework of the Genesis program", Nov. 28 2013
- 3See With its SinList, the NGO ChemSec alerts a non-expert public to chemical risks, Novethic, November 2019 and New chemicals on the SIN List challenge the global supply chain, ChemSec, November 2019
- 4See Sweden: protection of workers against potentially dangerous carbon nanotubes in the manufacturing sector, OSHA Europe, November 2, 2019
- 5
- 6See Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (20-1.5e) – § 721.11467Carbon nanotubes (generic), EPA, September 17, 2020
- 7
- 8See A semiquantitative risk ranking of potential human exposure to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in Europe, Li, Y and Cummins, E, Science of the Total Environment, 778, July 2021
