Env Exp Biol (2011) 9: 99–103

Toxicity assessment of carbon nanomaterials using Brachionus calyciflorus test

Abstract

Nanomaterials are being intensively studied due to their potential applications, and in recent years attention is being paid also to toxicity of nanomaterials that may be released into the environment as pollution and cause health risks. In the current study, the Rotoxkit F (Brachionus calyciflorus) toxicity test was applied to assess fullerene and carbon nanotube toxicity in an aquatic environment with dimethylsulfoxide and humic substances as solvents. The results showed that carbon nanomaterials are potential toxic pollutants in aquatic solutions, even though nanomaterials did not fully dissolve.