Abstract
ABSTRACT
The lung deposition of inhaled spherical and fibrous particles in the alveolar ducts has been evaluated. The computations herewith presented are based on four assumed deposition mechanisms: impaction, interception, diffusion and sedimentation. Humans, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and dogs are among the study subjects. Different deposition patterns were obtained. For rats and hamsters, there was an enhanced deposition at the bifurcation of the alveolar duct. This is in agreement with experimental observations. In contrast, for humans, guinea pigs and dogs, the deposition distribution in the alveolar duct was almost uniform. The difference in deposition pattern among different species may account, in part, for the observed differences in the clearance rate of deposited particles from the alveolar region of the lungs.
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