Graphene Safety Is Possible: First Human Clinical Trial Shows That 'Wonder' Material Can Be Developed Without Posing Acute Risks to Human Health

Findings of an initial clinical trial suggest that the human respiratory system is capable of tolerating short-term exposure to minimal graphene nanoparticle concentrations.

Graphene: a 'Wonder' Material

Interest in graphene development has surged because of its being regarded as a "wonder" material. Graphene has remarkable flexibility, excellent strength, and conductive properties. Because of this, it has potential in various fields and applications, from water filtration systems to supercomputers, medical devices, and even condoms.

All over the world, the material has been examined for its potential to aid in targeted therapy to combat cancer and other medical conditions. It also has the potential of being used as an implantable sensor or device.

However, with breakthroughs in technology, humans have a great track record of poisoning humanity and surrounding life. Though technology has led to great societal investments, everything has been seen to cost wellbeing and health.

Graphene Safety Tested

Now, with hopes of breaking this cycle, researchers have decided to test the safety of this promising material. Mark Miller, a cardiologist from the University of Edinburgh, explains that nanomaterials, including graphene, exhibit great potential. However, it is important to make sure that they are manufactured in a safe way before they can be widely applied.

After a decade of lab tests on human tissues and mice, researchers gathered 14 volunteers to inhale various graphene oxide nanoparticle concentrations. The participants' blood pressure, inflammation, and clotting markets were gauged along with their lung function. These were monitored before they inhaled the particles and every two hours during the course of the exposure. After two weeks, the procedures were repeated.

The volunteer participants did not have any clear changes in their cardiovascular and respiratory systems. They also did not exhibit any inflammation signs after they inhaled the pure material. In contrast, similar diesel exhaust concentrations were observed to result in cardiovascular dysfunction signs.

Because of the controlled lab environment, the scientists were able to eliminate other stressors that could affect the results. However, previous lessons reveal that particles may have a different reaction once they are able to interact with the real world. The researchers also note that some of the inflammation pathways in the body could have a longer response than the study's six-hour duration.

The researchers noted a small blood clotting increase when the graphene was assessed in an injured artery model out of the body. This means that the miniscule nanoparticles are not fully cleared out.

The authors note that their findings provide the foundation for more investigations to find out which graphene properties are responsible for certain biological actions. They note that this trial is just the starting point for establishing the safety limits of the wonder material.

Moving forward, the researchers are keen to examine long-term exposures and different graphene forms.

Findings were documented in the "First-in-human controlled inhalation of thin graphene oxide nanosheets to study acute cardiorespiratory responses" study.