Researchers have assessed the toxicity of multiwall carbon nanotubes with an in vitro model using mice cells as an alternative to animal testing. The scientists, from the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), found no evidence of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, but identified carcinogenic potential and interaction with cells using the method in combination with other data on the nanomaterials.
It is therefore important to consider different toxicological end points when studying nanomaterials, concluded the researchers.
They said this would require assays able to detect long-term effects such as carcinogenicity in combination with a panel of tests able to detect more immediate effects like basal cytotoxicity or genotoxicity.
The research is published in the journal Nanotoxicology.
Fonte: ChemicalWatch
