In the article ‘Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete
idea,’ Goy (2016) states that BlueRen scientists and co-founders, Wong Chui Ling
and Aravind Muthiah, have discovered an environmentally friendly method to
convert plastic waste into carbon nanotubes by using different mineral as a
catalyst during recycling. This is important as in 2014 alone, 869 000 tonnes
of plastic waste were produced but only 9% of it was recycled. This figure has
been unchanged since 2001 and BlueRen’s approach has resulted in a 10% yield.
Apart from that, these nanotubes are lightweight yet durable, so it could be
used as an additive in concrete making. It helps to strengthen the concrete
thus reducing the use of cement by 30%. The article quotes Aravind, who
believes that this is what makes BlueRen unique as their “technology is about
upcycling and converts plastic waste into high-value products."
I agree with the Goy's point of view on the advantage of converting plastic waste into a high-value product to reduce the use of concrete. However, I feel the article is lacking in term of the many negative health impacts of using carbon nanotube and plastic recycling.
Yes, carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel, harder than diamond, as light as plastic. However, there are a lot of effects of the nanotubes on the environment that are alien to us. Firstly, according to Dooren (2011), it has shown that nanotubes are toxic to the human cell. It has the "same effect on them as a spear has on a game." Also, carbon nanotubes have a similar effect as asbestos. Asbestos has been banned in 55 countries worldwide due to its harmful properties on humans. Before the ban, asbestos has been used to strengthen concrete and to insulate buildings. Thus, it would be dangerous for carbon nanotube to replace 30% of cement when the effect on human is that severe.
Secondly, Kobayashi, Izumi and Morimoto (2017) state that carbon nanotube would cause an adverse health effect. It is especially true for human exposure through inhalation and dermal contact during manufacturing and handling process. The exposure to carbon nanotubes will "induce inflammation, fibrosis, lung cancer following long-term inhalation." It is also observed that long and thin carbon nanotubes resemble and function like asbestos fiber. Asbestos fibers are so harmful because they are so tiny that they can penetrate deep into the lungs yet taking way to long for the body's immune system to destroy it. The carbon nanotubes will line the victim's lungs causing fatal cancer which can take 30 to 40 years to surface after exposure. So, it would be akin to killing the operators that are handling the carbon nanotube when mixing it with the cement.
Lastly,
according to Soffar (2016), plastic recycling can create environmental problems
if it is not done right. When plastic is being recycled, heat is required to
melt it down. The process of burning the plastic produces carbon emission. One
of the reasons that contribute to the global warming in the planet is carbon
emission. Also, volatile organic compounds are being discharged during plastic
recycling. Volatile organic compounds are harmful to nearby animal and plants.
It also presents health risks to people that use the recycled plastic as the plastic
resin is made from petroleum. So, it can leach into food that is packaged in
the containers.
In
conclusion, before it is too late to flag out potential dangers of the
nanotube, there is a pressing necessity to examine how carbon nanotubes are
being used and see if there is any chance that people are being exposed to the
dangerous material.
Reference
Dooren, J. V. (2012, September 5). Carbon nanotubes have unexpected negative impact on environment. Retrieved February 04, 2018, from http://www.bitsofscience.org/carbon-nanotube-environment-toxicity-4038/
Greenermeier. L. (2008, May 20). Study
Says Carbon Nanotubes as Dangerous as Asbestos. Retrieved February 04, 2018 from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/carbon-nanotube-danger/
Kobayashi. N., Izumi. H, Morimoto. Y, (2017, August
8). Review of toxicity studies of carbon nanotubes. Retrieved February 04, 2018
from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28794394
Luanpitpong.
S., Wang. L., Rojanasakul. Y. (2016, January 12). The effects of carbon
nanotubes on lung and dermal cellular behaviours. Retrieved February 04, 2018
from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4710349/
Soffar. H. (2016, July 27). Plastic recycling
advantages and disadvantages. Retrieved February
04, 2018 from https://www.online-sciences.com/industries/plastic-recycling-advantages-and-disadvantages/
