Toxicity evaluations of various carbon nanomaterials

Abstract

After the discovery of fullerene and carbon nanotubes, various carbon nanomaterials were discovered or synthesized. The carbon nanomaterials have remarkable properties, different from bulk materials with the same chemical composition, and are therefore useful for industrial applications. However, the toxicity of nanomaterials may also differ from that of the bulk materials; this difference poses a concern. The physical similarity of nanomaterials to asbestos has led to evaluations for toxicity by many researchers using various methods. In this review, we compile and compare the toxicity evaluations of each carbon nanomaterial.

In vitro and in vivo effects of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide on glioblastoma

“…Both in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the toxicity of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have recently been investigated. 7,8 It is now generally accepted that the in vitro cellular toxicity of graphene is closely related to its surface functionalization. Moreover, the reactive groups on graphene surface may facilitate conjugation with various systems, such as polymers, 9 biomolecules, 10 DNA, 11 protein, 12 quantum dots, 13 and others, imparting GO with multifunctionalities for diverse biological and medical applications.…”

“…Carbon atoms at the edge of graphene platelets have special chemical reactivity, and graphene has a very high ratio of peripheral to central carbon atoms compared with similar materials such as carbon nanotubes. 7 An active surface and edges means that graphene can adhere to cell membranes. This connection may block the supply of nutrients, induce stress, and activate apoptotic mechanisms in cancer cells.…”

Nanomaterials and Cardiovascular Toxicity

“…From a structural standpoint, CNTs have always been compared to asbestos due to the similarity in shape and insolubility in water. 59 This leads to speculation regarding toxicity similar to that of asbestos. Both CNTs and GO have been reported to have high bacterial toxicity.…”

Functionalized carbon nanotubes: biomedical applications

“…17 Reports have also shown that the highly water-soluble modified SWCNTs had low agglomeration and were taken up into the cells without distressing cell viability. 37 Studies have also shown that the cytotoxicity on lung mesothelic cells (MSTO-211H) is linked to the extent of agglomeration, and also that the suspended CNTs had less toxicity. 60 Subsequently, it has been shown that using fCNTs permits testing with living cells through miscibility in cell culture with satisfactory distribution, with low aggregation and reduced cytotoxicity.…”

“…25 Similarly, macrophages showed a higher half maximal effective concentration for MWCNTs 36 compared to human lung epithelial cells (A549). 37 It has also been shown that the functional group significantly affects cellular toxicity. 38 SWCNTs functionalized with phenyl-SO 3 H and phenyl-SO 3 Na had no crucial mutilation to the cells in vitro even at high concentrations (.2 mg/mL), whereas phenyl-(COOH) 2 -SWCNTs manifested toxicity even at low concentrations of 80 µg/mL.…”