Review of Carbon Nanotube Toxicity and Evaluation of Possible Implications to Occupational and Environmental Health

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanostructures made from rolled graphene planes and have several intriguing chemical and physical characteristics. Allotropes of carbon having a nanostructure that can have a length-to-diameter ratio greater than 1,000,000 are known as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These cylindrical carbon molecules have unique features that could make them valuable in a variety of nanotechnology applications. Their distinct surface area, stiffness, strength, and durability have generated a significant amount of interest in the health industry to achieve bio-functionalities, CNTs can be connected with a variety of biological substances, such as hormones, proteins, and nucleic acids. There are two types of CNTs: single-walled (SWNTs) and multi-walled (MWNTs). Their high aspect ratio, ultralightweight, strength, strong thermal conductivity, and electrical properties ranging from metallic to semiconducting are just a few of their intriguing characteristics. Drug delivery, blood cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, immunological treatment, biomedical imaging, biosensors, and tissue engineering are all areas where CNTs are beneficial, and the toxicology of carbon nanotubes is also discussed here.