Toxicity studies of fullerene C60 (1 μm and 50 nm) administered by nose-only inhalation to Wistar Han [Crl:WI (Han)] rats and B6C3F1/N mice.

Fullerene C60 (C60), a primary allotrope of carbon, is used in a variety of consumer applications including microelectronics, photovoltaics, batteries and fuel cells, and water treatment methods. Human exposure to engineered C60 due to industrial applications may occur via inhalation, oral, dermal, or parenteral routes. In these toxicity and tissue burden studies, male and female Wistar Han rats and B6C3F1/N mice were exposed to fullerene C60 (at least 95% pure) via nose-only inhalation for 3 months. Two different C60 fullerene aggregate sizes, 1 µm diameter (micro-C60) and 50 nm diameter (nano-C60) were studied to assess the potential for differential effects based on particle size. (Abstract Abridged).