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Nanotubes "As Deadly as Asbestos"

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the hack-cough-weeze dept.

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.

7 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

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      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  2. 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...

  3. 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!
  4. 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.
  5. 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.