Carbon/graphite fibre

Similarly to glass fibres the main hazard with carbon / graphite fibres is the mechanical irritation due to handling, although the skin irritation caused is generally worse with carbon fibre. The fibre diameter is greater than 6 microns and is not respirable and PAN based fibres are not considered to be mutagenic. There is weak evidence to suggest that Pitch based carbon fibres on the other hand are linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. The coating of carbon fibres with sizing materials to improve handling properties can also cause irritation.