Inhalation Health Risk Assessment for the Human Tracheobronchial Tree under PM Exposure in a Bus Stop Scene

Abstract

ABSTRACT Inhalation exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) can induce respiratory/cardiovascular disease and lung cancer in humans. Determining the specific particle deposition distribution in the human tracheobronchial tree is crucial to evaluating the health risk. Thus, an integrated human nasal-oral-tracheobronchial airway model was employed to study the particle deposition, and empirical equations for calculating the lung lobe risk contribution fractions were developed. The risk contribution of each lobe to non-carcinogenesis and carcinogenesis was predicted using prior experimental data collected at a bus stop. The regional inhalation health risk was analyzed by evaluating the hazard quotient (HQ) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) of selected non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic elements (viz., Cr, Mn, and Ni). Fine particles (10 nm–1 µm) contributed the highest risk fractions for the lung lobes, inducing higher potential health consequences in the lungs than coarser particles. Cr posed carcinogenic lung risks to people who commuted by public transport, with the ELCR to every lobe exceeding the recommended limit. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were 1.5 times greater for the right lung than for the left lung. Of the lung lobes, the RLL incurred the highest risk, followed by the LLL, RUL, LUL, and RML. Inhalation exposure to Cr posed a much higher risk to the lungs than exposure to Ni and Mn. However, compared to the other two elements, Mn potentially induced a higher chance of developing upper respiratory disease.