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Nanotubes "As Deadly as Asbestos"

Stony Stevenson writes "Certain carbon nanotubes may be as hazardous to humans as asbestos. A paper to be published in Nature Nanotechnology suggests that inhaling certain types of nanotubes can lead to the formation of mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. "This is a wakeup call for nanotechnology in general and carbon nanotubes in particular," said Andrew Maynard, co-author of the report and chief science adviser to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies." I'm really hoping that those medical face masks get popular again. That's a look that should really be cyclic, like bell-bottoms and thongs. Update: 05/21 19:18 GMT by T : See also this page at the Nanotechnology Project, which features a link to video commentary from Andrew Maynard, the researcher mentioned in the above-linked article.

16 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Good news for mesothelioma lawyers by sakdoctor · · Score: 1, Funny

    Not to mention the made for adsense spammers.

  2. Nanotubes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    frank shoemaker would call this noise

  3. Some are safe... by oodaloop · · Score: 5, Funny

    From TFA:

    "Short or curly carbon nanotubes did not behave like asbestos and, by knowing the possible dangers of long, thin carbon nanotubes, we can work to control them," he said. "This is good news, as it shows that carbon nanotubes and their products could be made to be safe."

    Thank god I can keep up my habit of snorting curly nanotubes.

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
    1. Re:Some are safe... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Short and curly eh? More like nanoPUBES.

    2. Re:Some are safe... by Hatta · · Score: 3, Funny

      What we don't know is what some of these nano tubes are being made of.

      I think they're made of carbon.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  4. uh, where does CmdrTaco live by JeanBaptiste · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm really hoping that those medical face masks get popular again

    uh, where does CmdrTaco live that medical face masks were once a popular fashion item? I certainly don't remember that fad. Bell bottoms, I do unfortunately remember, but not medical face masks...

  5. There are some people... by camperdave · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's a look that should really be cyclic like bell-bottoms and thongs.

    There are some people who should never be seen cycling in thongs.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  6. Re:Remeber people - short and curlies by oodaloop · · Score: 4, Funny

    make sure you use short and curlies. No problem. That's what's on my buckyballs.
    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  7. Re:Report at 11.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    That's the typical poor quality of moderation these days. It's a knee-jerk reaction of "Oh no, he's suggesting this isn't news! Whether he's right or wrong I don't like that so he MUST be a troll! Hah!".

    This is more like a troll:

    That's a look that should really be cyclic like bell-bottoms and thongs.

    What gets my cycle going is yo mama in a thong.

  8. Re:Remeber people - short and curlies by denzacar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hmm... if they are nano-sized I kinda think that it is not just the shrinking from the cold.
    You should probably see a doctor about that.

    --
    Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
  9. Centitubes 'As Deadly as a Rabid Badger' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Certain cellulose centitubes may be as hazardous to humans as a rabid badger. A paper to be published in Nature Centitechnology suggests that inhaling certain types of centitubes can lead to hemoptysis and accute asphyxia, a condition commonly caused by exposure to rabid badgers. "This is a wakeup call for centitechnology in general and wooden toothpicks in particular," said Andrew Maynard, co-author of the report and chief science adviser to the Project on Emerging Centitechnologies.

  10. No, the nano-intertubes are something different by davidwr · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nano-intertubes are lethal because the slow bit rate causes frustration which causes 'net rage among porn customers.

    Giga-intertubes and Tera-intertubes are lethal for a different reason, namely, the sheer weight of adsense spammers compresses the customer's body into the density of a black hole or at least that of a neutron star.

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
  11. It is this kind of alarmism... by Bullfish · · Score: 1, Funny

    that slows down progress and makes us scrap perfectly good solutions to age-old problems. Asbestos has been banned, and yet studies commissioned by the asbestos council have repeatedly shown that it is beer consumption by asbestos workers that have resulted in the phenomenon known as "flub lung".

    Don't be fooled!! In latest studies by the carbon purveyors league, it has been shown that recent outbreaks of "fidgety-digits", or shaking hands syndrome have been related to the detergent used in bar glasses located near carbon plants, as well as the consumption of certain grains in conjunction with coffee.

    Makes sense! After all, why would carbon hurt us! Carbon is our friend... diamonds are a woman's best friend, and you, yes, you are a carbon-based lifeform!!

    Stop this insanity.

  12. Man.. by scubamage · · Score: 2, Funny

    Those buckyballs and nanotubes, what can't they do!? I mean, they don't just fight cancer. They can cause cancer too!

    1. Re:Man.. by Atriqus · · Score: 2, Funny

      They're your one-stop shop for all your cancerous needs!

      --
      Hey, look! It's Bono's brother.
  13. Re:Report at 11.... by slashmo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Question everything Why should I?