Cited by 106Occupational and environmental lung diseasesGraphene and Nanomaterials ApplicationsNanoparticles: synthesis and applications

The asbestos-carbon nanotube analogy: An update

Open access
Kane, Agnes B., Hurt, Robert H., Gao, Huajian·2018·Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emerging industry based on commercialization of materials with one or more dimensions of 100 nm or less. Engineered nanomaterials are currently incorporated into thin films, porous materials, liquid suspensions, or filler/matrix nanocomposites with future applications predicted in energy and catalysis, microelectronics, environmental sensing and remediation, and nanomedicine. Carbon nanotubes are one-dimensional fibrous nanomaterials that physically resemble asbestos fibers. Toxicologic studies in rodents demonstrated that some types of carbon nanotubes can induce mesothelioma, and the World Health Organization evaluated long, rigid multiwall carbon nanotubes as possibly carcinogenic for humans in 2014. This review summarizes key physicochemical similarities and differences between asbestos fibers and carbon nanotubes. The "fiber pathogenicity paradigm" has been extended to include carbon nanotubes as well as other high-aspect-ratio fibrous nanomaterials including metallic nanowires. This paradigm identifies width, length, and biopersistence of high-aspect-ratio fibrous nanomaterials as critical determinants of lung disease, including mesothelioma, following inhalation. Based on recent theoretical modeling studies, a fourth factor, mechanical bending stiffness, will be considered as predictive of potential carcinogenicity. Novel three-dimensional lung tissue platforms provide an opportunity for in vitro screening of a wide range of high aspect ratio fibrous nanomaterials for potential lung toxicity prior to commercialization.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.taap.2018.06.027

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  • The rigidity hypothesis states that excessive length and rigidity of a chemically inert fibre has the potential to induce carcinogenicity, provided the fibre is respirable and biodurable.

    “It states that the excessive length and rigidity of a chemically inert fibre has the potential to induce carcinogenicity, provided that the fibre is respirable and biodurable.”
  • The rigidity hypothesis posits that phagocytosis of long fibres that significantly exceed macrophage dimensions can fail if their flexural rigidity exceeds a critical threshold, whereas fibres below this threshold can be completely internalised.

    “The rigidity hypothesis posits that phagocytosis of long fibres that significantly exceed the dimensions of macrophages can fail if their flexural rigidity”

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Warheit DB Oberdörster G Kane AB Brown SC Klaper RD Hurt RH Nanotoxicology, Chapter 28, Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons 9th (in press)
  2. IARC 2012 IARC monographs: Arsenic, metals, fibres, and dusts Vol 100C A review of human carcinogens Lyon, France International Agency for Research on Cancer Available from: http://monographs.iarc.fr/
  3. Jeannet N Fierz M Kalberer M Burtscher H Geiser M 2015 Nano aerosol chamber for In-vitro toxicity (NACIVT) studies Nanotoxicology 9 34 42 24552156
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  5. Pott FRR Roller M Csicsaky M Rosenbruch M Huth F 1989 Tumours in the abdominal cavity of rats after intraperitoneal injection of nickel compounds Proceedings of the International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment 2 Geneva World Health Organization 127 129

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Authors
Kane, A. B., Hurt, R. H., & Gao, H.
Affiliations
Brown University (US)
Corresponding author
Kane, Agnes B.
Venue
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-12
Volume
361
Pages
68-80
ISSN
0041-008X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2811240367
Cited by
106
References
152
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 3
FWCI
9.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P42 ES013660)
  • National Science Foundation (CBET-1344097)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Occupational and environmental lung diseases
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
Keywords
carbon nanotubes, asbestos fibers, mesothelioma, biopersistence, pulmonary toxicity, metallic nanowires, inhalation exposure
MeSH terms
Animals, Asbestos, Carcinogens, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Lung Diseases, Occupational Exposure, Nanotechnology, Nanotubes, Carbon, Nanostructures

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