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

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 () and Wen Gong ()
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Fang-Zhou Yao: Wuzhen Laboratory
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
Xin Ma: Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Wen Gong: Wuzhen Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61993-7

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