Ambient-sulfate-aerosol deposition in man: modeling the influence of hygroscopicity

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5594616

Martonen, T B; Barnett, A E; Miller, F J

Atmospheric sulfate aerosols (H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, (NH/sub 4/)2SO/sub 4/, and NH/sub 4/HSO/sub 4/) are of international concern because of their global prevalence and potential irritant or toxic effects on humans. To assess hazards following inhalation exposure, the total dose delivered to the human respiratory tract and its regional distribution must be determined. The mass median aerodynamic diameter of the inhaled aerosol will influence the sites of deposition in the respiratory tract. Atmospheric sulfate aerosols are hygroscopic and will have changing particle sizes and densities as they absorb water vapor in the humid environment of the human respiratory tract. Experimental and theoretical data that describe particle size as a function of temperature and relative humidity were used in computer subroutines of an aerosol deposition model in order to calculate the dose dispersion of H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, (NH/sub 4/)2SO/sub 4/, and NH/sub 4/HSO/sub 4/ aerosols in man. Different temperature and relative humidity environments that approximately correspond to nasal and oral breathing were studied.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Health Effects Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 5594616
• Report Number(s): PB-86-163383/XAB; EPA/600/J-85/303
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
COLLOIDS
DEPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYGROSCOPICITY
INHALATION
INTAKE
MOISTURE
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RETENTION
SOLS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS