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

ndr.de

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

#11
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…

Here is something: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/41211...

Apparently the surgery was unrelated, they found lots of carbon brake dust in his lungs purely by chance. No conclusion on whether it is dangerous or not.

Edit: grahamel was quicker :)

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

#12

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 ge…

Epoxy resin is an algerin which is why you get sensitized to it. You have to be very careful when it is not fully cured, but once cured it is a good plastic. having said that I don't recommend getting exposed to any plastic smoke.

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

#14
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…

Here is something: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/41211... Apparently the surgery was unrelated, they found lots of carbon brake dust in his lungs purely by chance. No conclusion on whether it is dangerous or not. Edit: grahamel was quicker :)

I recall him telling (in a Finnish commentary for a F1 race broadcast) that he went to another surgery to examine the carbon fiber dust in his lungs. But this was almost 10 years ago, I can't remember the specifics.

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

#15
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 guess there is a point that the dust will always be around the car.

But while driving it does not look like the driver would be affected by it: http://www.ozeninc.com/images/hpc-carmesh-2.jpg

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

#16
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here is something: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/41211... Apparently the surgery was unrelated, they found lots of carbon brake dust in his lungs purely by chance. No conclusion on whether it is dangerous or not. Edit: grahamel was quicker :)

I recall him telling (in a Finnish commentary for a F1 race broadcast) that he went to another surgery to examine the carbon fiber dust in his lungs. But this was almost 10 years ago, I can't remember the specifics.

Can you wash the carbon fiber dust out of the lungs?

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

#17

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 ge…

I can confirm this. They say that the dust becomes dangerous above 650°C. The fibers become even smaller and reach the lungs.

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

#18
post #15
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 guess there is a point that the dust will always be around the car. But while driving it does not look like the driver would be affected by it: http://www.ozeninc.com/images/hpc-carmesh-2.jpg

They're racing against other cars, cars to the right, cars to the left, cars in front. I don't see what the aerodynamic profile is meant to inform us?

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

#20
Though I'm all in to scientific development and the benefits of these new materials, I still want to point out, that nor carbon-fiber or graphene exist in nature in large quantities for more than one reason, while diamond and graphite do. Now the question should be .. why is that?
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