OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE AND MEDICO-BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES: OVERVIEW OF AUTHORS’ RESEARCHES

Advanced studies on the behavior of nanoparticles in living systems and safety degree of new nanomaterials is one of the strategic objectives of the development of nanotechnology network. The urgency of the issue is due to the lack of sufficient information about behavior of engineered nanoparticles in living systems, including humans. Carbonaceous materials occupy one of the leading position on the market of nanomaterials. The number of enterprises, which produce or use carbon nanotubes (CNT) and other types of carbon nanomaterials is growing from year to year. The establishment of molecular cellular mechanisms of CNTs biological and toxic effects in interaction between various biological objects and the human organism is necessary for further development of approaches to technical regulation of the nanoparticles content in various objects and prevention of damaging effects on the human organism. In 2009-2015. the protocol was implemented of a joint Russian-American investigation into exposure assessment and health risk from effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes CNT-ERA (Carbon NanoTubes Exposure and Risk Assessment), one of the first world research of human health risks associated with industrial exposure to inhaled MWCNT. The study included hygienic, toxicological and epidemiological stages. Respirable fractions concentration of aerosol in the worker’s breathing zone, averaged over an 8-hour period, were in the range of 0.54 to 6.11 g / m3 (calculated as elemental carbon). Profibrotic potential of native MWCNTs used in industry, as well as potentially increased risk of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases and malignant lung tumors were identified. The necessity of revision of domestic approaches to assessment methods of exposures and regulation of MWCNTs in the working area, development of a system of preventive measures and health service for workers were proved..

multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), fibrogenic effects, carcinogenic risk, studies in vitro and in vivo, epidemiological study, biomarkers, gene expression