A recent review published in Small highlights the need for thorough safety evaluations of graphene and its derivatives as their use expands across industries. The authors argue that safety assessments must be a core component of the development process, not an afterthought.
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Background
Graphene-based materials have generated significant interest across various fields, including electronics, energy, and biomedicine, due to their exceptional properties, such as high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and large surface area.
However, their nanoscale dimensions and unique surface chemistry pose potential risks when interacting with biological systems. As these materials make their way into consumer and medical applications, evaluating their safety becomes a critical priority.
Existing studies have revealed a range of biological responses to graphene and its derivatives, highlighting the complex nature of their interactions with living organisms. These findings underscore the need for robust safety assessments to address potential risks. Complicating matters further, the absence of standardized testing protocols makes interpreting data and establishing regulatory guidelines challenging.
This review synthesizes current knowledge about the toxicological and ecotoxicological effects of graphene-based materials to support informed decision-making while safeguarding human health and the environment.
Key Studies
The review highlights several key studies that have significantly advanced the understanding of the safety of graphene-based materials.
One study examined the toxicity of graphene oxide (GO) using zebrafish as a model organism. The results indicated that exposure to GO caused developmental abnormalities, raising concerns about its potential risks in biomedical applications.
Another important study focused on the pulmonary effects of GO in mice, demonstrating that larger GO sheets triggered more severe inflammatory responses than smaller ones. This finding highlights the importance of considering material dimensions in safety evaluations. The review also discusses in vitro studies conducted on human cell lines, which have shown that GO can elicit cytotoxic effects, particularly at higher concentrations.
These studies collectively illustrate the complexity of graphene's interactions with biological systems and the necessity for a nuanced approach to safety evaluation.
Results and Discussion
The findings from various studies highlight the variability in biological responses to graphene-based materials, with toxicity influenced by factors such as size, shape, surface chemistry, and exposure route. Some forms of graphene demonstrate low toxicity and favorable biocompatibility, while others are associated with adverse effects, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cytotoxicity. Research points to oxidative stress and inflammatory responses as key mechanisms driving these toxicological effects.
Understanding the biodistribution of graphene materials within biological systems is essential, as this knowledge can guide the design of safer products and applications. The need for standardized testing protocols is evident, as these would enable consistent and reliable safety evaluations across studies. Additionally, collaboration among researchers, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders is critical to developing robust safety guidelines for the responsible use of graphene-based technologies.
By fostering a culture of responsibility in graphene research, this work emphasizes that scientific progress should never come at the expense of health or environmental standards.
Journal Reference
Fadeel B., et al. (2025). Safety assessment of graphene-based materials. Small. DOI: 10.1002/smll.202404570, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/smll.202404570