Particle deposition in human respiratory system: Deposition of concentrated hygroscopic aerosols

In the nearly saturated human respiratory tract, the presence of water-soluble substances in the inhaled aerosols can cause change in the size distribution of the particles. This consequently alters the lung deposition profiles of the inhaled airborne particles. Similarly, the presence of high conce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Inhalation toxicology 2009-06, Vol.21 (7), p.619-630
Main Authors: Varghese, Suresh K., Gangamma, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosols - administration & dosage
Aerosols - metabolism
Humans
Inhalation Exposure
Models, Biological
Particle Size
Particulate Matter - administration & dosage
Particulate Matter - metabolism
Respiratory System - drug effects
Respiratory System - metabolism
Tissue Distribution - drug effects
Tissue Distribution - physiology
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Summary:In the nearly saturated human respiratory tract, the presence of water-soluble substances in the inhaled aerosols can cause change in the size distribution of the particles. This consequently alters the lung deposition profiles of the inhaled airborne particles. Similarly, the presence of high concentration of hygroscopic aerosols also affects the water vapor and temperature profiles in the respiratory tract. A model is presented to analyze these effects in human respiratory system. The model solves simultaneously the heat and mass transfer equations to determine the size evolution of respirable particles and gas-phase properties within human respiratory tract. First, the model predictions for nonhygroscopic aerosols are compared with experimental results. The model results are compared with experimental results of sodium chloride particles. The model reproduces the major features of the experimental data. The water vapor profile is significantly modified only when a high concentration of particles is present. The model is used to study the effect of equilibrium assumptions on particle deposition. Simulations show that an infinite dilution solution assumption to calculate the saturation equilibrium over droplet could induce errors in estimating particle growth. This error is significant in the case of particles of size greater than 1 μm and at number concentrations higher than 105/cm3.
ISSN:0895-8378
1091-7691
DOI:10.1080/08958370802380792