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Graphene, nanotubes, and Buckey balls . . . the new asbestos

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by bwilson4web, Aug 17, 2019.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Asbestos and mining dust share a distinct biological effect on human lungs . . . the destruction. The hard particles induce a biological reaction often leading to early fatalities or disabilities. Then I thought about these marvelous, new carbon materials.

    These incredibly strong materials would be great embedded in a plastic or metal to make very strong and light structures. But when the matrix material 'goes away', the remaining carbon structures become the new asbestos.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Aug 17, 2019
    Georgina Rudkus likes this.
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    History is fraught with ideas and products with unintended consequences. I'll leave it to other posters to name a few.
     
    #2 Georgina Rudkus, Aug 17, 2019
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Why single out carbon? Nano sized particles of materials with a proven record of being safe may be harmful to us and the environment.
     
    #3 Trollbait, Aug 17, 2019
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    The strength to weight ratio and electrical characteristics makes it valuable. However, I took Google search and it sounds like there is no consensus of a health risk:
    “Just Carbon”: Ideas About Graphene Risks by Graphene Researchers and Innovation Advisors

    The "just carbon" descriptions suggest we may already have biological processes that can deal with it. My concern was the high strength but it has an edge that would be exposed to enzines.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Aug 17, 2019
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