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ToxSci Advance Access published online on February 16, 2006
Toxicological Sciences, doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfj130
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org
Received November 21, 2005
Accepted February 6, 2006

Review

Carbon Nanotubes: a Review of Their Properties in Relation to Pulmonary Toxicology and Workplace Safety

Ken Donaldson 1 *, Robert Aitken 2, Lang Tran 2, Vicki Stone 3, Rodger Duffin 1, Gavin Forrest 4, and Andrew Alexander 4

1 MRC/ Centre for Inflammation Research, ELEGI Colt Laboratory, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh
2 Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Park North, Riccarton, Edinburgh
3 Napier University, School of Life Sciences, 10 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh
4 School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Ken Donaldson, E-mail: ken.donaldson{at}ed.ac.uk


  Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are an important new class of technological materials that have numerous novel and useful properties. The forecast increase in manufacture makes it likely that increasing human exposure will occur and as a result, CNT are beginning to come under toxicological scrutiny. This review seeks to set out the toxicological paradigms applicable to the toxicity of inhaled CNT, building on the toxicological database on nanoparticles and fibres. Relevant workplace regulation regarding exposure is also considered in the light of our knowledge of CNT. CNT could have features of both nanoparticles and conventional fibres and so the current paradigm for fibre toxicology, which is based on mineral fibres and synthetic vitreous fibres, is discussed. The nanoparticle toxicology paradigm is also discussed in relation to CNT. The available peer-reviewed literature suggests that CNT may have unusual toxicity properties. In particular CNT seem to have a special ability to stimulate mesenchymal cell growth and to cause granuloma formation and fibrogenesis. In several studies CNT have more adverse effects than the same mass of nanoparticle carbon and quartz, the latter a commonly used benchmark of particle toxicity. There is however no definitive inhalation study available that would avoid the potential for artefactual effects due to large mats and aggregates forming during instillation exposure procedures. Studies also show that CNT may exhibit some of their effects through oxidative stress and inflammation. CNT represent a group of particles that are growing in production and use and therefore research into their toxicology and safe use is warranted.


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