Nanoplatelets may pose health risks

22/02/12

By Anna Dubuis

Scientists have discovered that a material used in computer technology could be harmful for those involved in manufacturing these products.

Nanoplatelets are only one carbon atom thick and are invisible to the naked eye. Their super-conductivity means they are often used to enhance the electronic properties of touch screens. Made from thin layers of the carbon graphene, the flexibility of the particles allows them to be easily incorporated into rubber or plastic.

However, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found that when inhaled into the lungs the particles could cause damage.

The disc-shaped particles have aerodynamic properties which mean they stay airborne, and this is where health problems may be encountered.

Chair of respiratory toxicology at Edinburgh University, Professor Ken Donaldson, said: "We need to further assess the potential hazards posed by nanoplatelets made of graphene and other materials, so that appropriate health and safety measures can be put in place for those involved in their manufacture."

The study was published in the journal ACS Nano.