title: The release of silver nanoparticles from commercial toothbrushes.
abstract: The use of silver nanoparticles (NPs) in commercial products has become increasingly common in the past decade, mostly due to their antimicrobial properties. Using Ag NP-containing articles may lead to particle release, which raises concern of human and environmental safety. The published literature addressing particle release is scarce, especially when it comes to quantifying exposure to NPs specifically. In this study, we have experimentally investigated the release of total Ag and Ag NP from commercially available toothbrushes i.e. biodegradable toothbrushes for adults and toothbrushes for children. Toothbrushes were immersed and abraded in tap water for 24h corresponding to more than the whole intended usage time of a toothbrush. The total amount of released Ag was quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis, and the Ag NPs were characterized by single particle ICP-MS and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The median size of the released Ag NPs ranged from 42 to 47nm, and the maximum total Ag release was 10.2ng per toothbrush. The adult toothbrushes were generally releasing more total Ag and NPs than children toothbrushes. In conclusion, our results indicate that the use of Ag NP-impregnated toothbrushes can cause consumer as well as environmental exposure to Ag NPs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej Building 113, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Electronic address: aima@env.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Aiga
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mackevica
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej Building 113, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mikael Emil
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljoevej Building 113, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Steffen Foss
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D012834:Silver
keywords: Consumer exposure; Consumer products; Nanoparticle release; Silver nanoparticles