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German armed forces warn that carbon fiber might be cancer-causing

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Re: German armed forces warn that carbon fiber might be cancer-causing

#5

Post by mxfh »

Since the carcinogenic effect of asbestos is mostly caused by it's physical properties[1]; anything that resembles the shape of asbestos' micro-particles is also highly suspected to be carcinogenic.

The shape, size, and adsorbing nature of the fibers also appear to be critically important. Recently, doubts have arisen concerning the safety of commercially available carbon nanotubes,[2] which may possess the same carcinogenicity as asbestos fibers because of their similar characteristics. Ample care has to be taken to prevent a tragedy similar to the one caused by asbestos exposure.[1]

[1] http://www.med.nagoya-u.ac.jp/medlib/nagoya_j_med_sci/7112/p... [PDF]

[2] http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v3/n7/abs/nnano.2008.111...

On making nanotubes less dangerous: Shorter is better http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.201207664/ab...

Re: German armed forces warn that carbon fiber might be cancer-causing

#6

Post by exDM69 »

Formula 1 and other open wheel racing drivers have been exposed to carbon fiber dust (from the carbon-carbon brakes) for a few decades now. There is some research going on with former racing drivers.

E.g. former F1 driver Mika Salo underwent surgery where his lungs were examined to assess the effects of repeated exposure to burned carbon fiber dust (this was several years ago). Unfortunately, I do not have any links to sources nor do I know the results of the research.

Another big question mark is the health and environmental effects of graphene. There is a lot of research going on in applications of graphene but only now there have been research projects into possible negative effects on the environment.

Re: German armed forces warn that carbon fiber might be cancer-causing

#7

Post by falcolas »

rnernento wrote: post #3

From the Google translated version of the article it looks like it's only dangerous when burned.

If I recall correctly, creating carbon fiber involves burning a material. The fibers, even in their raw state, resemble asbestos. The saving grace is that they are typically cast in resin, so to get the asbestos-like fibers back, you have to burn off the resins binding them together.

Re: German armed forces warn that carbon fiber might be cancer-causing

#8

Post by krschultz »

Note that this article (at least from the translated version) seems to be implying that the risk is around burning or particulate carbon fiber. I would definitely believe that.

The epoxy is also pretty nasty too. If you don't wear the right personal protective equipment when using it, you can quickly become sensitized to it. I don't know what that means medically, but it can't be good. I have always worn the right gear when building things, but it is clearly harmful to you without proper ventilation and separation from your skin.

I love composites, but they definitely have downsides.

Re: German armed forces warn that carbon fiber might be cancer-causing

#9

Post by grahamel »

exDM69 wrote: post #6

Formula 1 and other open wheel racing drivers have been exposed to carbon fiber dust (from the carbon-carbon brakes) for a few decades now. There is some research going on with former racing drivers. E.g. former F1 driver Mika Salo underwent surgery where his lungs were examined to assess the effects of repeated exposure to burned carbon fiber dust (this was several years ago). Unfortunately, I do not have any links…

I remember this. Article link http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/41211...
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