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Erik Swietlicki. Photo.

Erik Swietlicki

Professor

Erik Swietlicki. Photo.

Measurement Techniques for Respiratory Tract Deposition of Airborne Nanoparticles: A Critical Review.

Author

  • Jakob Löndahl
  • Winfried Möller
  • Joakim Pagels
  • Wolfgang G Kreyling
  • Erik Swietlicki
  • Otmar Schmid

Summary, in English

Abstract Determination of the respiratory tract deposition of airborne particles is critical for risk assessment of air pollution, inhaled drug delivery, and understanding of respiratory disease. With the advent of nanotechnology, there has been an increasing interest in the measurement of pulmonary deposition of nanoparticles because of their unique properties in inhalation toxicology and medicine. Over the last century, around 50 studies have presented experimental data on lung deposition of nanoparticles (typical diameter≤100 nm, but here≤300 nm). These data show a considerable variability, partly due to differences in the applied methodologies. In this study, we review the experimental techniques for measuring respiratory tract deposition of nano-sized particles, analyze critical experimental design aspects causing measurement uncertainties, and suggest methodologies for future studies. It is shown that, although particle detection techniques have developed with time, the overall methodology in respiratory tract deposition experiments has not seen similar progress. Available experience from previous research has often not been incorporated, and some methodological design aspects that were overlooked in 30-70% of all studies may have biased the experimental data. This has contributed to a significant uncertainty on the absolute value of the lung deposition fraction of nanoparticles. We estimate the impact of the design aspects on obtained data, discuss solutions to minimize errors, and highlight gaps in the available experimental set of data.

Department/s

  • Nuclear physics
  • Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
  • NanoLund: Centre for Nanoscience
  • MERGE: ModElling the Regional and Global Earth system

Publishing year

2014

Language

English

Pages

229-254

Publication/Series

Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery

Volume

27

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Topic

  • Subatomic Physics
  • Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics

Keywords

  • aerosol
  • engineered nanoparticles
  • dosimetry
  • health
  • inhalation
  • NSAM
  • ultrafine particles
  • pulmonary
  • lung deposition

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1941-2703