CarbonBlack: a joint research project to establish a test system for predicting human-toxicological effects of synthetic carbon black nanoparticles*

The worldwide industrial production of Carbon black nanoparticles (CBNP) amounts to several mega tons per year. About 90% are used for reinforcement of rubber and plastic material, about 10% in printing inks, dyes etc. During synthesis and manufacturing CBNP can adsorb diverse substances at their surface. Whether the risk potential arises directly from CBNP or indirectly from surface adsorbed materials is still enigmatic. The joint research project CarbonBlack aims at establishing a test system composed of several models with increasing complexity that can be used for assessing the potential toxicological effect…