Release of Silver from Nanotechnology-Based Consumer Products for Children

Abstract

We assessed the potential for children's exposure to bioavailable silver during the realistic use of selected nanotechnology-based consumer products (plush toy, fabric products, breast milk storage bags, sippy cups, cleaning products, humidifiers, and humidifier accessory). We measured the release of ionic and particulate silver from products into water, orange juice, milk formula, synthetic saliva, sweat, and urine (1:50 product to liquid mass ratio); into air; and onto dermal wipes. Of the liquid media, sweat and urine yielded the highest amount of silver release, up to 38% of the silver mass in products; tap water yielded the lowest amount, ≤1.5%. Leaching from a blanket into sweat plateaued within 5 min, with less silver released after washing. Between 0.3 and 23 μg m(-2) of silver transferred from products to wipes. Aerosol concentrations were not significantly elevated during product use. Fabrics, a plush toy, and cleaning products were most likely to release silver. Silver leached mainly via dissolution and was facilitated in media with high salt concentrations. Levels of silver to which children may potentially be exposed during the normal use of these consumer products is predicted to be low, and bioavailable silver is expected to be in ionic rather than particulate form.

Transformation kinetics of silver nanoparticles and silver ions in aquatic environments revealed by double stable isotope labeling

“…MES (2-(Nmorpholino)ethanesulfonic acid) buffer (10 mM, pH 5.6) and borate buffers (1 mM, pH 7.4 and 8.5) were used to control the pH, and diluted HNO 3 and NaOH were used to adjust the pH values. Moreover, the effect of temperature (6, At each time interval during the experiment, 5 mL of the sample was taken from the bottle and mixed with 2.5 mL saturated EDTA solution for 10 min.…”

Dermal exposure potential from textiles that contain silver nanoparticles

“…20 The authors suggested that the discrepancy in silver release between the products could be attributed to the method used to treat the fibers of the product with silver. Our simulated use scenario (Fig.…”

“…1,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] More recently, investigators have begun to focus on release of silver into biological fluids and the exposure potential from contact with textile consumer products. 20,21 These studies have reported that silver in textiles was released primarily in ionic form into artificial sweat at varying levels depending on the product tested. However, little is known about the factors that influence silver exposure from the use of textile consumer products.…”

Potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology: perceptions of risk in sunscreens

“…Finally, a study on the release of ionic and particulate silver from nanotechnology-based consumer products for children has been published (Quadros et al, 2013). During realistic use of a number of consumer products (plush toy, fabric products, breast milk storage bags, cleaning products, humidifiers and accessories), measurements were taken of the release of Ag into water, orange juice, milk formula, synthetic saliva, sweat, urine, into air and onto dermal wipes.…”

“…In the same report, Quadros et al (2013) tried to put the leakage of silver into perspective. They compared the amount of silver released from products to the results of a study rats by Kim et al (2007), on the toxicity of nanosilver in rats after oral administration.…”