Deposition of ultrafine (nano) particles in the human lung

Asgharian, B; Price, OT

HERO ID

93119

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2007

Language

English

PMID

17957545

HERO ID 93119
In Press No
Year 2007
Title Deposition of ultrafine (nano) particles in the human lung
Authors Asgharian, B; Price, OT
Journal Inhalation Toxicology
Volume 19
Issue 13
Page Numbers 1045-1054
Abstract Increased production of industrial devices constructed with nanostructured materials raises the possibility of environmental and occupational human exposure with consequent adverse health effects. Ultrafine (nano) particles are suspected of having increased toxicity due to their size characteristics that serve as carrier transports. For this reason, it is critical to refine and improve existing deposition models in the nano-size range. A mathematical model of nanoparticle transport by airflow convection, axial diffusion, and convective mixing (dispersion) was developed in realistic stochastically generated asymmetric human lung geometries. The cross-sectional averaged convective-diffusion equation was solved analytically to find closed-form solutions for particle concentration and losses per lung airway. Airway losses were combined to find lobar, regional, and total lung deposition. Axial transport by diffusion and dispersion was found to have an effect on particle deposition. The primary impact was in the pulmonary region of the lung for particles larger than 10 nm in diameter. Particles below 10 nm in diameter were effectively removed from the inhaled air in the tracheobronchial region with little or no penetration into the pulmonary region. Significant variation in deposition was observed when different asymmetric lung geometries were used. Lobar deposition was found to be highest in the left lower lobe. Good agreement was found between predicted depositions of ultrafine (nano) particles with measurements in the literature. The approach used in the proposed model is recommended for more realistic assessment of regional deposition of diffusion-dominated particles in the lung, as it provides a means to more accurately relate exposure and dose to lung injury and other biological responses.
Doi 10.1080/08958370701626501
Pmid 17957545
Wosid WOS:000250364300001
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments ECRIB.Deposition of ultrafine (nano) particles in the human lung.Inhalation Toxicol. 19: 1045-1054.
Is Public Yes
Language Text English