How should people interpret these findings within the larger context of nanotechnology environment, health and safety research?
PG: People should know that MWCNT may be a problem if there is exposure toairborne particles. Mainly exposed, however, are most probably people at workplaces where MWCNT are manufactured and assembled. Therefore, particular attention has to be paid to workplace situations, i.e. workers have to be protected. Apparently one has to consider indoor exposure where gas combustion processes are occurring. We do not know, however, the dose needed to cause adverse health effects, nor do we know how long it would take to cause adverse health effects. Also, we do not know whether the results from the experiments described in the two papers (and in other publications) can be directly extrapolated to man. Hence, besides the fact that asbestos-like pathology exists there is a lot of uncertainty for the public. And, as in other such situations, if there is uncertainty about a risk, we usually behave ourselves with caution. It is quite sure that, if bound, the MWCNT are not a problem. ICON: Comment on
