Reader Response Final Draft

According to "Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea", (Goy, 2016) states that experts have discovered an ecological way of producing carbon nanotubes through the conversion of plastic waste. (Goy, 2016) further asserts that the carbon nanotubes can be used to amplify the strength of concrete as they are versatile, durable, light and great conductors of electricity. However, the usage of carbon nanotubes is rare due to its high cost and production of harmful gases during the process of recycling. Technology company BlueRen uses another mineral that is more ecological as the catalyst to transform plastic into carbon nanotubes.

Wong Chun Ling, co-founder of technology company BlueRen, believes that with their discovery, BlueRen edges closer to their objective of commercializing carbon nanotubes and alleviating Singapore’s plastic waste issue. BlueRen’s approach allows 1,000 tonnes of carbon nanotubes to be produced from every 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste, which results in a 10 percent yield. BlueRen was awarded the DBS Foundation Social Enterprise grant which will be used to produce a prototype.

While (Goy, 2016) did mention the point that carbon nanotubes have the capability of amplifying the strength of concrete, Goy failed to elaborate on the environmental impact producing carbon nanotubes may cause.

There are many products that contains carbon nanotubes, with sporting goods like tennis racket being an example. While it might look like there are little risk to consumer using products containing carbon nanotubes, toxicologists are worried that there might be a health risk for workers involved in the production of carbon nanotubes.

(Greenemeier, 2008) states that studies have shown breathing in carbon nanotubes could share the same health impact as breathing in asbestos. (Greenemeier, 2008) further reveals that carbon nanotube’s thin and long fibers are found to be identical to asbestos. (World Health Organisation, 2017) states that around 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at their workplace and about half of the deaths from occupational cancer are supposedly caused by asbestos. Asbestos fibers have been proven to cause mesothelioma, a deadly lung cancer. this had resulted in a ban of asbestos fibers in insulations of building.

With the fibers’ similarities in mind, it is believed that carbon nanotube could also cause mesothelioma. (Queen’s Medical Research Institute, 2016) proved the theory by exposing lab mice to needle-thin nanotubes. The result of the experiment shown that the inside lining of the mice body cavity became inflamed and formed lesions known as granulomas.

With BlueRen’s intention on amplifying the strength of concrete with carbon nanotubes, it is necessary to take into consideration the serious health implication that may arise with it. Workers exposed to carbon nanotubes may suffer similar effects to those exposed to asbestos. As such, it is paramount that carbon nanotubes do not follow the footsteps of asbestos.

To conclude, with carbon nanotubes being projected to grow in the global market due to its impressive properties, further research on the environmental hazard and safe practices of carbon nanotubes must be carried out until proven that it is safe for production.

References:

Priscilla Goy (2016, January 11). “Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea”

Retrieved from

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/duo-turn-plastic-waste-into-a-concrete-idea

Larry Greenemeier (2008, May 20). Scientific American, “Study says Carbon Nanotubes as Dangerous as Asbestos”
Retrieved from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/carbon-nanotube-danger/

The Univeristy of Edinburgh (2016, Apr 14). “Carbon nanotube health hazard”
Retrieved from
http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/all-news/carbon-nanotubes

Nanotech Project (2008, May 19), “Caron Nanotubes that look like Asbestos, Behave like Asbestos”
Retreived from
http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/mwcnt/

BioMed Central (2016, Nov 26). “Are carbon nanotubes the next Asbestos?’
Retreived from
http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-health/2014/11/26/are-carbon-nanotubes-the-next-asbestos/

World Health Organisation (2017, Aug), “Asbestos: elimination of asbestos-related diseases”
Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/