Empa researchers have studied the remains (Researchers studied the health risks of graphene residues) of plastic waste containing graphene. Conclusion of the study: The components of the light can take graphene nanoparticles and not harm if there is a large exposure.
Due to its unique properties, graphene is now added to many plastics. Carbon makes it better, for example, the structure and stability of the components. Empa researchers are currently investigating the health risks of these new compounds in several studies. The latest study focuses on the remnants of graphene nanoplatelets that will be produced after the components are burned in the landfill or during combustion.
A real lung model in a cell culture dish
Since the human body is most likely to come into contact with graphene through the respiratory tract, the researchers used a 3D lung model developed at Empa in cell culture for toxicity testing. The team led by Peter Wick from the Particle-Biology Interactions Laboratory at Empa in St. Gallen exposed lung cells to the combustion residue of a material composed of graphene nanoplatelets. To measure the amount of graphene, which is exposed to humans as much as possible, a team led by Jing Wang from Empa’s Advanced Analytical Technology Research Laboratory and measured the total combustion of graphene composites. Researchers from Empa’s Advanced Fibers laboratory are also involved in cross-disciplinary work.
No major damage
Using this data, the team placed a 3D model of the lung in real-time so that they could predict the toxicity of graphene nanoplatelets after being burned. The results show that the incineration of plastic resins without graphene causes well-known negative effects that indicate health risks. However, when graphene nanoplatelet residues were mentioned, there was no other evidence of significant lung cell damage, such as inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, or even cell death.
In previous studies, Empa researchers have already been able to show that the health risk of graphene dust produced by the abrasion of polymer composites is negligible. The effects of long-term exposure to graphene nanoparticles will be investigated in long-term studies.
