Toxicity Effect of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been known as one of the most important nanomaterials and their toxicological effects in vivo have been widely concerned. According to "Globally Harmonized System of classification and Labelling of Chemicals" (GHS) classification regulation, here, we analyzed the local toxicity (skin corrosion/irritation), acute oral toxicity, aquatic acute toxicity and reproductive toxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with the "Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development" (OECD) recommended chemical toxicity standard test methods. The experimental results showed that the LD50 and LC50 of SWCNT are all higher (LC50 more than 5000 mg/kg bw, LC50 more than 100 mg/L), but the skin irritation score is 0.6. As the standard of GHS, that means the SWCNT has no acute oral toxicity and aquatic acute toxicity, but it belongs to skin mild irritation substance. The investigations of reproductive toxicity showed that rate of cell micronuclei formation was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in 10.0 mg/kg dose group, and rate of mice sperm deformity was increased too (p < 0.05) in infected groups indicating that the SWCNT played a potentially role in reproductive toxicity.