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

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 extra...

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Main Authors: 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 Gong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61993-7
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author 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 Gong
author_facet 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 Gong
author_sort Fang-Zhou Yao
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-ca994650e34f46ecabc073ef17da5d522025-08-20T03:46:25ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-011611810.1038/s41467-025-61993-7Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectricFang-Zhou Yao0Wenying Fan1Yunfan Zhang2Bing Han3Zimin Feng4Binjie Chen5Zhongshang Dou6Jia Jiang7Ziyun Li8Haihan Gao9Chaofeng Wu10Naixin Liang11Yan Wei12Ke Wang13Xin Ma14Wen Gong15Research Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen LaboratoryResearch Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen LaboratoryDepartment of Geriatric Dentistry, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyDepartment of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyResearch Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen LaboratoryResearch Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen LaboratoryResearch Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen LaboratoryShanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineTongxiang Tsingfeng Technology Co. LtdDepartment of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeDepartment of Geriatric Dentistry, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Peking University School and Hospital of StomatologyResearch Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen LaboratoryShanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineResearch Center for Advanced Functional Ceramics, Wuzhen LaboratoryAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61993-7
spellingShingle 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 Gong
Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric
Nature Communications
title Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric
title_full Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric
title_fullStr Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric
title_full_unstemmed Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric
title_short Eliminating lead-exposure in nebulization therapy by lead-free piezoelectric
title_sort eliminating lead exposure in nebulization therapy by lead free piezoelectric
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61993-7
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