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Researchers have unveiled significant findings suggesting that a remarkable nanomaterial holds immense promise in addressing various global challenges, all while posing minimal risk to human health. The study, a pioneering endeavor in controlled exposure clinical trials, focused on a specific type of graphene – renowned for its unparalleled thinness, strength, and flexibility.
Preliminary results indicate that carefully administered inhalation of ultra-pure graphene oxide, a water-compatible variant of the material, does not exhibit any immediate adverse effects on lung or cardiovascular function. However, the study emphasizes the need for further investigation to determine the potential impacts of higher doses and prolonged exposure to graphene, which is thinner than a human hair by thousands of times.
This breakthrough opens avenues for exploring the extensive applications of graphene in addressing pressing global concerns while prioritizing safety and health considerations.
The details of the study by a team of researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Machester were published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Promising material
Since its isolation by scientists in 2004, graphene has captured widespread attention as a revolutionary material with boundless potential. From electronics to clothing and phone screens to water purification systems, the applications of graphene seem limitless.
One area where graphene is gaining significant traction is in healthcare. Across the globe, researchers are exploring its use in targeted cancer therapeutics, implantable devices, and sensors. However, rigorous testing for potential adverse effects is imperative before its medical potential can be fully realized.
To address this, the team conducted a study by recruiting fourteen volunteers to participate in various meticulously controlled exposure experiments conducted under clinical monitoring conditions. The volunteers outfitted with face masks, were exposed to graphene for two hours while cycling within a purpose-designed mobile exposure chamber. This chamber was brought to Edinburgh from the National Public Health Institute in the Netherlands, and it ensured precise control over the experiment's conditions.
Reseachers highlight the immense potential of nanomaterials like graphene. However, it is crucial to guarantee their safe manufacturing processes before they can be embraced on a larger scale in our daily lives. "Being able to explore the safety of this unique material in human volunteers is a huge step forward in our understanding of how graphene could affect the body. With careful design, we can safely make the most of nanotechnology," said Dr Mark Miller of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Cardiovascular Science in a statement.
Safer option
According to researchers, the effects of graphene inhalation on lung function, blood pressure, blood clotting, and inflammation were closely monitored at two-hour intervals. In subsequent sessions, volunteers were exposed to different graphene oxide or clean air sizes for comparison.
Remarkably, the study revealed no adverse effects on lung function, blood pressure, or the majority of other biological parameters under scrutiny. Although researchers noted a minor suggestion that graphene inhalation might influence blood clotting, they emphasized that this effect was negligible.
The team highlights that a decade's effort has culminated in the expertise required to conduct this research. It includes advancements in materials and biological science and the establishment of clinical capabilities necessary to execute such meticulously controlled studies.
"The discovery that this type of graphene can be developed safely, with minimal short-term side effects, could open the door to the development of new devices, treatment innovations, and monitoring techniques," Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said in a statement.
