Today the asbestos press releases are filled with news that Nanotubes, a supposed wonder of the modern, miniature, world, are every bit as dangerous as asbestos.

We must be grateful that this time we have advance warning of the danger. Nobody has fallen ill, and experts say the findings call for caution, not alarm, in handling nanotubes, which are tiny, super-strong carbon fibers.

Nanotubes can, apparently, be found in things such as tennis rackets, where they are used to produce high strength at low weight. Scientists have debated for a long time whether the needle-shaped nanotubes might cause the same types of disease as needle-shaped asbestos fibers. Today we have the answer - yes they might.

A team of researchers reported that injecting nanotubes into the abdomens of mice induced lesions similar to those that appear on the outer lining of the lungs after the inhalation of asbestos.

The people in greatest danger would most likely be those working in laboratories or at nanotube manufacturers.

Let's hope they get fair warning...

New York Times