New Technology May Increase Mesothelioma Among Individuals

The very thought of mesothelioma cancer can be disturbing and exhausting. Individuals who were exposed to asbestos years prior are beginning to show signs of the dormant lung cancer that is fatal. However, while mesothelioma has long been linked to asbestos, it is also now being linked to a new type of technology.

According to researchers based out of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington D.C., the early 90's development of carbon nanotubes has been an amazing feat for technological applications, however, it has not gone without its price. Specifically, carbon nanotubes may be causing harm to the human body in the form of mesothelioma cancer.

If the carbon nanotubes are introduced into the wrong environment, the development of lesions and inflammation of the lungs occurs - symptoms similar to that of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure. Animals that were exposed to carbon nanotubes was how the researchers discovered the link. Dr. Andrew Maynard, who published a study in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, described the use of nanotubes and the potential link to mesothelioma cancer. The ability for nanotubes to conduct heat and electricity is what is driving their use, he said.

Mostly, Dr. Maynard explains, the nanotubes are being implemented into sports equipment. There are no regulations in place with nanotechnology or the use of nanotubes.

What Are Nanotubes?

Nanotubes have been deemed the poster child of nanotechnology, Maynard said. The nanotubes are cylindrical structures comprised of carbon atoms that have been rolled together. Mice exposed to nanotubes developed mesothelioma-similar symptoms within the lungs, according to Maynard's study. While he and other researchers consider nanotubes to be safe - when encased - the risk occurs when nanotubes are incinerated or broken.

The use of nanotubes includes:

* a variety of sports equipment

* bicycle frames

* tennis rackets

* electronic gas detectors

* radios

Additionally, because of the strength of nanotubes, many consider its future use to vastly effect several business ventures and areas, and be widely used in industries including:

* aerospace

* automobile

* airplanes

* television box productions

* medical

* environmental uses

Working with Nanotubes

While the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is doing research on nanotoxicology, there is little knowledge or research currently available regarding the safety of using nanotechnology.

Additionally, Dr. Maynard noted that because of the ever-increasing nanotechnology industry, which is likely to be worth $2.6 trillion by 2014, it will be difficult to adequately and accurately assess nanotechnology safety because of the technology's quick growth, which is also being used in the food industry.

Transparency of nanotoxicology among some nanotechnologically-produced products may fall into the hands of manufacturers and producers, which John M. Balbus, heatlh program chief for the Environmental Defense Fund told the Washington Post that with open communications nanotechnology will flourish, but without it, another wave of unknowing mesothelioma victims will occur.

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