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Study on electron beam induced deterioration and microplastic release from polymer catheters
Summary
Researchers found that electron beam sterilization of latex Foley catheters at doses of 75 kGy or higher causes progressive surface cracking and nanoplastic leaching, with irradiated particles also showing reduced microbial growth. This is significant because medical devices are a direct and understudied route for nanoplastic exposure in patients, and sterilization practices may inadvertently generate plastic particles that enter the body during medical procedures.
Electron beam (E-beam) sterilization is widely applied to polymer-based medical devices, yet its impact on microplastic release remains insufficiently understood. This study examines dose-dependent degradation and microplastic leaching from natural rubber latex Foley catheters irradiated at 25–100 kGy. Surface morphology (E-SEM), total organic carbon (TOC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and microbial assays were used to evaluate structural and functional changes. Increasing irradiation dose resulted in progressive surface cracking and elevated TOC, with nanoplastics detected at ≥ 75 kGy. Irradiated microplastics also showed reduced microbial growth. The findings highlight the need to balance sterilization efficacy with material stability to minimize microplastic release.