Carbon nanotubes were once considered biopersistent in that they did not break down in body tissue or in nature. In recent years, research has shown that laboratory animals exposed to carbon nanotubes via inhalation or through injection into the abdominal cavity develop severe inflammation. A combined study by a team of Swedish and American scientists have come up with an interesting finding, which will be a breakthrough in nanotechnology and nanotoxicology. As per the claim by the researchers, "endogenous MPO can break down carbon nanotubes". This enzyme is expressed in certain types of white blood cell (neutrophils), which use it to neutralise harmful bacteria. Now, however, the researchers have found that the enzyme also works on carbon nanotubes, breaking them down into water and carbon dioxide. The researchers also showed that carbon nanotubes that have been broken down by MPO no longer give rise to inflammation in mice. More....
Scientists show carbon nanotubes can be broken down by MPO
