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Respiratory Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes

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Nanomaterials: A Danger or a Promise?

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Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are emblematic nanomaterials, and have generated a highly competitive international scientific research activity. Since their initial description in 1991, the understanding of their unique physicochemical properties led to a large number of actual applications and uses, as well as future developments. Because of these promising applications, there is an increasing concern regarding the consequences that could result from human exposure to CNT. Analysis of the existing literature shows that respiratory exposure to CNT can lead to the occurrence of pulmonary inflammation, the formation of granuloma, and the development of pulmonary fibrosis. The exact determinants of these effects still remain to be clearly identified, although intrinsic physicochemical characteristics of CNT (i.e. length, dispersion status, and residual catalyst content) seem to be of importance. Several critical issues still remain to be solved, such as the translocation of CNT outside the lungs and the occurrence of their biotransformation, which should open a new understanding to the respiratory effects of CNT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inserm, U955, Équipe 4, 94000, Créteil, France

    Sophie Lanone

  2. Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Est, 94000, Créteil, France

    Sophie Lanone

  3. Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Service de pneumologie et pathologie professionnelle, 94000, Créteil, France

    Sophie Lanone

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  1. Sophie Lanone
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Correspondence to Sophie Lanone .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , ITODYS, Université Paris Diderot, rue Jean de Baïf 15, Paris cedex 13, 75205, France

    Roberta Brayner

  2. , ITODYS, Université Paris Diderot, rue Jean de Baïf 15, Paris cedex 13, 75205, France

    Fernand Fiévet

  3. , LCMCP, Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Collège, place Marcelin-Berthelot 11, Paris cedex 05, 75231, France

    Thibaud Coradin

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Lanone, S. (2013). Respiratory Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes. In: Brayner, R., Fiévet, F., Coradin, T. (eds) Nanomaterials: A Danger or a Promise?. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4213-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4213-3_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4212-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4213-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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