Deposition and clearance of inhaled particles

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8455369· OSTI ID:5118627

Stuart, B O

Theoretical models of respiratory tract deposition of inhaled particles are compared to experimental studies of deposition patterns in humans and animals, as governed principally by particle size, density, respiratory rate and flow parameters. Various models of inhaled particle deposition make use of approximations of the respiratory tract to predict fractional deposition caused by fundamental physical processes of particle impaction, sedimentation, and diffusion. These models for both total deposition and regional (nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and pulmonary) deposition are compared with early and recent experimental studies. Reasonable correlation has been obtained between theoretical and experimental studies, but the behavior in the respiratory tract of very fine (<0.1 ..mu..m) particles requires further investigation. Properties of particle shape, charge and hygroscopicity as well as the degree of respiratory tract pathology also influence deposition patterns; definitive experimental work is needed in these areas. The influence upon deposition patterns of dynamic alterations in inspiratory flow profiles caused by a variety of breathing patterns also requires further study, and the use of differing ventilation techniques with selected inhaled particle sizes holds promise in diagnosis of respiratory tract diseases. Mechanisms of conducting airway and alveolar clearance processes involving the pulmonary macrophage, mucociliary clearance, dissolution, transport to systemic circulation, and translocation via regional lymphatic vessels are discussed.

• Research Organization: Air Force Aerospace Medical Research Lab., Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH
• OSTI ID: 5118627
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 55; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
CLEARANCE
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DATA
DEPOSITION
EXCRETION
FUNCTIONS
INFORMATION
INHALATION
INTAKE
LUNG CLEARANCE
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
MAN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUMERICAL DATA
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PHAGOCYTES
PRIMATES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RETENTION
SIZE
SOMATIC CELLS
THEORETICAL DATA
VERTEBRATES