In vitro evaluation of possible adverse effects of nanosized materials

Nanoscaled materials, such as single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), are increasingly used in a wide range of areas because of their unique characteristics. Presently, it is not clear to what extent these materials have an adverse effect if they are taken up by humans. Because of their dimensions and persistency, SWCNT have been compared with asbestos. In the present study, an in vitro system was used to compare the effects of SWCNT and asbestos. With the short term tests used, some similarities in the induced effects could be detected. (c) 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.