Reader Response Draft 1

Experts have discovered an ecological way of producing carbon nanotubes through the conversion of plastic waste. Along with the reduction of cement, plastic waste can be reused as the carbon materials can be used to amplify the strength of concrete. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are versatile as they do not weigh much and are durable. They are also great conductors of electricity. Despite its advantages, 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 hydrocarbon gases which results in the formation of carbon nanotubes.

According to Goy (2016), Wong Chun Ling states 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 coveted grant by DBS Foundation Social Enterprise. The grant will be used to produce a prototype. Despite carbon nanotubes being stronger and lighter than steel, the implementation of carbon nanotubes in the construction industry is premature as it poses environmental and health-related concerns.

Firstly, carbon nanotubes have shown potential to cause environmental impact varying from toxic gases to damages of biodiversity. Generally, the method used to produce CNT is by the chemical vapor deposition of ethylene. Both the predecessor product and the side product are hazardous to the environment, which includes the emission of greenhouse gas. Manzetti and Anderson (2013) stated that CNT poses health issues towards living things are shown to be able to affect rainbow trout and other mono-cellular aquatic organisms, causing harm to the respiratory function and other terminal effects.

Secondly, carbon nanotubes have raised concerns for its similarities towards asbestos, a carcinogen that can cause cancer such as mesothelioma. Carbon nanotubes, just like asbestos, both shares similar properties and can be exposed through inhalation. Luanpitpong et al.(2016) discovered exposures can stimulate lung fibroblast to become cancer-associated fibroblast like cells (CAF-like cells) and it can enhance tumour growth of lung carcinoma cells. They stated that a research was done using known carbon-associated fibroblast markers such as “α-smooth muscle actin” and “podoplanin” and the results was shown to have stimulated carbon-associated fibroblast like cells. To understand further on how carbon nanotubes affects the human body, mice were experimented and injected with CNT-induced CAF-like cells and human lung carcinoma H460 cells. The experiment lasted for 3 weeks with results confirming the enhanced tumour growth. In a research done by University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lam et al. (2006) wrote a review regarding the toxicity and assessment of potential risk of carbon nanotubes. Lam et al. (2006) stated that although the forming of CNT is environmentally friendly, there are possibilities in which CNT can pollute the environment. Fine particles induced through the deterioration of wear and tear products can lead to environmental contamination. This results in unintentional inhalation of the CNT, which can lead to health-related concerns as mentioned above.


In conclusion, if CNT were to be expanded into the construction industry, more studies regarding the health risk, safeguarding policies and ways to eliminate the potential hazard should be verified before the implementation of CNT is being widespread into the industry.


References:

Priscilla Goy (11 January 2016), The Straits Times. “Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea”
Retrieved from
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/duo-turn-plastic-waste-into-a-concrete-idea

Mark Crawford (February 2013), ASME. “Making carbon nanotubes safer for the environment” 
Retrieved from

Sudjit Luanpitpong et al. (20 December 2016), Nature. “Induction of cancer-associated fibroblast-like cells by carbon nanotubes dictates its tumorigenicity” 
Retrieved from

Sergio Manzetti and Otto Andersen (7 May 2013), Challenges. “Carbon Nanotubes in Electronics: Background and Discussion for Waste-Handling Strategies”
Retrieved from

Chiu-wing Lam el at. (2006), NASA publications. "A Review of Carbon Nanotube Toxicity and Assessment of Potential Occupational and Environmental Health Risks"
Retrieved from
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1177&context=nasapub













  

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According to the article “Duo turn plastic waste into concrete idea”, Goy (2016) states that experts have discovered an ecological way of producing carbon nanotubes through the conversion of plastic waste. BlueRen’s approach, converts one tenth of the plastic waste into carbon nanotubes, results in a 10 percent yield. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are versatile as they do not weigh much and are durable. They are also great conductors of electricity. However, the usage of carbon nanotubes is are due to its high cost and production of harmful gases during the process of recycling. According to Goy (2016), Wong Chun Ling states that with their discovery, BlueRen edges closer to their objective of commercializing carbon nanotubes and alleviating Singapore’s plastic waste issue. BlueRen was awarded the coveted grant by DBS Foundation Social Enterprise. The funds obtained through the grant will be used to produce a prototype. Despite carbon nanotubes being stronger and lighter than steel, th...
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