DEVELOPMENT OF SURROGATE LUNG SYSTEMS WITH CONTROLLED THERMODYNAMIC ENVIRONMENTS TO STUDY HYGROSCOPIC PARTICLES: AIR POLLUTANTS AND PHARMACOLOGIC DRUGS

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Abstract
An objective of this text is to demonstrate advantages of interdisciplinary efforts, specifically, applications of engineering technology to health effects issues. The work describes the development of surrogate systems of the human lung for use in studies of hygroscopic growth kinetics and related deposition of inhaled particles. The models have become increasingly more physiologically realistic. Notable accomplishments are the successful simulations of in vivo environmental conditions, namely: (1)temperature and relative humidity atmospheres;(2)airstream profiles and thermodynamic processes; and,(3)lung morphology. Measurements of hygroscopic characteristics of a laboratory aerosol (NaCl) and bronchodilator drugs used in aerosol therapy were made using one of the models and are reported herein. The data clearly demonstrate the respective effects of respiratory tract geometry and particle chemical composition upon the behavior of inhaled substances. The surrogate lungs, offering unique research opportunities detailed within, are intended for experimental investigations that are complementary to inhalation exposures with human subjects.