Investigating Microplastics and Nanoplastics Released from a Rubber Band Used for Orthodontic Treatment with Improved...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Orthodontic treatment is common among teenagers.
• Microplastics and nanoplastics are emerging contaminants with unknown health effects.
• The release of these particles from orthodontic devices is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the release of microplastics and nanoplastics from orthodontic rubber bands.
• To develop and improve methods for characterizing these particles in complex samples.
• To assess the potential daily exposure of teenagers to these emerging contaminants.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Raman imaging for signal extraction and mapping from hyperspectral data.
• Employed chemometrics, including principal component analysis (PCA), to enhance image certainty.
• Developed an algebra-based algorithm to correct PCA and an image reconstruction algorithm (deconvolution) to improve signal quality.

Main Results:

• Confirmed the release of microplastics and nanoplastics from orthodontic rubber bands.
• Estimated that millions of microplastics and nanoplastics could be released daily per patient.
• Demonstrated an effective approach for characterizing microplastics and nanoplastics in challenging matrices.

Conclusions:

• Orthodontic rubber bands are a potential source of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure.
• The developed analytical approach offers a robust method for detecting these contaminants.
• Further research is needed to understand the health implications of this exposure.