New research from the Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, shows that carbon nanotubes may present health risks if inhaled, in the worst case leading to cancer. The research found that these extremely small fibers can make their way far into the lungs, perhaps all the way to the alveoli, potentially increasing one’s risk of cancer. According to Sofie Högberg, who now holds a PhD in engineering from the Division of Fluid Mechanics, and conducted the research for her doctoral dissertation, “[M]y research substantiates the concerns about health effects and is one reason we should be careful when handling with these materials. There are concerns, among others, that carbon nanotubes may lead to mesothelioma, a cancer form that previously has been associated only with asbestos.” Högberg developed equations to describe the movements of a fiber, and solved them to see what proportion of the inhaled fibers might be thought to fasten, depending on parameters like particle size and form.