ABSTRACT
A global endeavour to safeguard environmental and human health is evolving at a rapid pace. Fundamental knowledge of graphene’s interactions with biological molecules, cells, tissue structures, organs, and organisms is crucial to safe graphene product design. The ambiguous use of the term in both publications and patents has created a misperception and has steered the incorrect use of multiply-defined graphene acronyms. Graphene embraces various forms, one impediment which renders rationalization of graphene family Nanomaterial (NM) (GFN) toxicity effects difficult. The graphene family includes NMs with considerably different chemical compositions and carbon to oxygen ratios and various types of oxygen-containing functional groups. The sharp edges of graphene-like sheets pose threats of physical damage reportedly due to physical disruption of cellular, bacteria, and viral membranes. GFN nanotoxicity is an emergent field; thus, literature and our common understanding are too limited to draw solid conclusions regarding the environmental and cytotoxicity risks of graphene family members.
