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Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric

Author

Listed:
  • Fang-Zhou Yao

    (Wuzhen Laboratory
    Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University)

  • Wenying Fan

    (Wuzhen Laboratory)

  • Yunfan Zhang

    (Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology)

  • Bing Han

    (Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology)

  • Zimin Feng

    (Wuzhen Laboratory)

  • Binjie Chen

    (Wuzhen Laboratory)

  • Zhongshang Dou

    (Wuzhen Laboratory)

  • Jia Jiang

    (Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

  • Ziyun Li

    (Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

  • Haihan Gao

    (Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

  • Chaofeng Wu

    (Tongxiang Tsingfeng Technology Co. Ltd)

  • Naixin Liang

    (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College)

  • Yan Wei

    (Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology)

  • Ke Wang

    (Wuzhen Laboratory
    Tsinghua University)

  • Xin Ma

    (Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)

  • Wen Gong

    (Wuzhen Laboratory
    Tongxiang Tsingfeng Technology Co. Ltd)

Abstract

Present main-stream medical ultrasonic nebulizers contain Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-based piezoceramics, which could expose the patients to toxic lead when the acidic liquid medicine, compounded with ultrasonic vibration, corrodes the piezoceramics. Enormous amount of lead ions up to 150 ppm can be extracted when lead-containing piezoceramics were exposed to typical acidic liquid medicines. Thus, a series of nebulization in a course of treatment could easily raise a child’s blood lead level well above the blood lead reference value of 0.035 ppm, causing adverse and likely irreversible health effects. Herein, we introduce the lead-free medical ultrasonic nebulizers based on high-performance (K,Na)NbO3-based lead-free piezoceramics. It’s designed for facile and safe at-home treatment, offering a healthy, safe, and lead-free solution for patients. It also marks the first commercialization of (K,Na)NbO3-based lead-free piezoceramics as a replacement for Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, helping expedite the lead-removing process of piezoelectric materials in general, in line with sustainable development goals worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Fang-Zhou Yao & Wenying Fan & Yunfan Zhang & Bing Han & Zimin Feng & Binjie Chen & Zhongshang Dou & Jia Jiang & Ziyun Li & Haihan Gao & Chaofeng Wu & Naixin Liang & Yan Wei & Ke Wang & Xin Ma & Wen Go, 2025. "Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61993-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61993-7
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