Exposure Dose Model Research Articles

A model study on the effect of human's height variability in particle deposition and retained dose in the respiratory tract.

The objective of the current study was to investigate the impact of human's height variability to the deposition percentage, the deposited and the retained dose of particulate matter in the respiratory tract. In addition, the dose to the oesophagus, blood and lymph nodes was evaluated after particle clearance. A methodology which correlates anatomical and physiological parameters with height was adopted into an existing particle dosimetry model (Exposure Dose Model 2, ExDoM2). Model results showed that deposition of particles with aerodynamic diameter (dae) ranging from 0.001 to 10 μm depends on the competition between anatomical/physiological parameters, with the maximum effect induced from height variability to be observed for particles in the size range of 0.30 μm <dae <1.5 μm. Specifically, a decrease in the subject's height by 100 cm (from 175 to 75 cm) caused a 60.5 ± 6.8% increase in the total deposition percentage during light exercise. Contrarily, an increase in the subject's height by 100 cm (from 75 to 175 cm) caused a 376% increase in the daily deposited dose of PM10 in the respiratory tract. Investigating the inter-subject variability of PM10 dose showed that the extrathoracic region was characterized by lower variability (10.0%) compared to the thoracic region (16.2%). After clearance, the highest variability was observed for blood (15.7%), followed by the respiratory tract (12.1%), lymph nodes (10.4%) and oesophagus (10.1%). Results of the current study highlight the impact induced by incorporating height to scale the inter-subject variability in particle deposition and dose in the human body.

Seasonal variation in exposure to particulate matter among children attending different levels of education: Comparison of two dosimetry models

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been associated with several adverse health outcomes. Studies indicate that children may be exposed to much higher concentrations of PM at school than in other environments. There exists very little data on the deposited dose of PM while children attend classes. This study was carried out in a school located near an industrial complex in Portugal and attended by children aged 3–12 years. Indoor PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 were measured over two seasons in classrooms representing different school year groups. Particle deposition fractions in the respiratory tract, as well as the deposited doses, were calculated using the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) and the Exposure Dose Model (ExDoM2). Both models were implemented assuming an 8-h exposure scenario to represent the school day. In general, differences in PM concentrations were observed depending on room occupancy periods and season. The highest mean PM2.5 concentration was recorded in winter when the classroom was vacant (23.7 ± 20.5 μg m−3), while the highest mean PM10 level was observed in spring during school hours (61.7 ± 24.2 μg m−3). Regardless of the dosimetry model, the highest deposition of PM10 and PM2.5 was in the upper region, while the lowest was in the tracheobronchial (TB) region. The results indicate that deposited dose and deposition fraction in spring may be more harmful to pupils’ health than in winter. PM10 presented the highest doses, ranging from 54.2 to 128 μg and from 83.9 to 185 μg, according to MPPD and ExDoM2 estimates, respectively.

Assessment of personal deposited dose of bioaerosols and particles in a wastewater treatment plant facility

The daily deposited dose of bioaerosols and particle mass or number in the human respiratory tract using an exposure dose model (ExDoM2) was quantified in the present study. The dose was calculated for the extrathoracic (ET), tracheobronchial (TB), and alveolar-interstitial (AI) regions of the human respiratory tract. The calculations were performed for viable, cultivable airborne heterotrophic bacteria, mesophilic fast-growing fungi, and total coliforms at a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located at a suburban area at a Mediterranean site. The human dose was determined using data from two locations at the WWTP which correspond to two different wastewater treatment stages (aerated grit chamber (indoor) and primary settling tanks (outdoor)) and one outdoor location at the urban background site. In addition, the model simulations were performed for two exposure periods (March to April and May to June 2008). Higher daily deposited dose in the total human respiratory tract was observed for heterotrophic bacteria at the aerated grit chamber, whereas lower values of heterotrophic bacteria were observed at the primary settling tanks. These findings were associated with the corresponding stage of wastewater treatment activities and may be valuable information for determining future dose–response relationships. In addition, higher daily deposited dose was determined in the ET region for the three categories of bioaerosols. Regarding PM10 and PN1, the higher daily deposited dose received by a worker at the aerated grit chamber. Finally, the hazard quotients were estimated and the results showed that the non-carcinogenic effects can be ignored for bioaerosols and PM10 except for workers present at aerated grit chamber. Regarding PM2.5, the non-carcinogenic effects are of concern and cannot be ignored for all cases.

Methods for latent image simulations in photolithography with a polychromatic light attenuation equation for fabricating VIAs in 2.5D and 3D advanced packaging architectures

As demand accelerates for multifunctional devices with a small footprint and minimal power consumption, 2.5D and 3D advanced packaging architectures have emerged as an essential solution that use through-substrate vias (TSVs) as vertical interconnects. Vertical stacking enables chip packages with increased functionality, enhanced design versatility, minimal power loss, reduced footprint and high bandwidth. Unlocking the potential of photolithography for vertical interconnect access (VIA) fabrication requires fast and accurate predictive modeling of diffraction effects and resist film photochemistry. This procedure is especially challenging for broad-spectrum exposure systems that use, for example, Hg bulbs with g-, h-, and i-line UV radiation. In this paper, we present new methods and equations for VIA latent image determination in photolithography that are suitable for broad-spectrum exposure and negate the need for complex and time-consuming in situ metrology. Our technique is accurate, converges quickly on the average modern PC and could be readily integrated into photolithography simulation software. We derive a polychromatic light attenuation equation from the Beer-Lambert law, which can be used in a critical exposure dose model to determine the photochemical reaction state. We integrate this equation with an exact scalar diffraction formula to produce a succinct equation comprising a complete coupling between light propagation phenomena and photochemical behavior. We then perform a comparative study between 2D/3D photoresist latent image simulation geometries and directly corresponding experimental data, which demonstrates a highly positive correlation. We anticipate that this technique will be a valuable asset to photolithography, micro- and nano-optical systems and advanced packaging/system integration with applications in technology domains ranging from space to automotive to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Simulations of the deposition of pharmaceutical aerosols in the human respiratory tract by dry powder inhalers (DPIs)

Investigation of pharmaceutical aerosol deposition in the human respiratory tract is an important topic because it enhances knowledge regarding the effective treatment of lung diseases. Herein, deposition in the human respiratory tract produced by the use of Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) was modeled for an adult male. A modified version of the model named Exposure Dose Model 2 (ExDoM2) was used where simulations incorporated both monodisperse and polydisperse aerosols. The impact of breath holding and mouthpiece diameter was also examined. The results revealed that the larger the aerodynamic diameter, the greater the deposition in the extrathoracic region. On the contrary, higher deposition of polydisperse particles in the tracheobronchial and alveolar-interstitial region was observed for particles with aerodynamic diameter 2–4 μm. In the extrathoracic region, deposition increased with a decrease in the mouthpiece diameter. However, its effect is negligible for particles approximately <1 μm in the tracheobronchial and alveolar-interstitial regions. For bigger particles, an increase in mouthpiece diameter resulted in an increase of the deposition. Similar findings were obtained for monodisperse particles. In addition, the results showed that breath holding increases the deposition in the lungs for all mouthpiece diameters and Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameters (MMADs), which confirms the medical recommendations of breath holding after inhalation of pharmaceutical aerosols through DPIs for more effective treatment of lung diseases. Finally, the user of the modified version of ExDoM2 has the capability to modify the parameters of the model for a more representative/realistic scenario. Future objectives include simulations that adopt the effect of particle properties (density and shape factor) and other parameters (such as the tidal volume), as well as simulations incorporating deposition using realistic input data (MMAD and standard deviation sg).

Estimation of the Personal Deposited Dose of Particulate Matter and Particle-Bound Metals Using Data from Selected European Cities

The present study focused on the estimation of the personal dose of airborne particles using an exposure dose model (ExDoM2). Input data from three European cities (Athens, Kuopio, Lisbon) were selected to implement the model that calculates the deposited dose and retention of particles in the respiratory tract, the mass transferred to the oesophagus and the absorption to blood as well as the dose for five particle-bound metals. Model results showed that after one day exposure higher deposited dose in the respiratory tract was obtained for Lisbon as a direct consequence of the higher PM concentration measured in this city. Moreover, the activity profile and the physical characteristics of the exposed subject had strong impact on the estimated deposited dose. Thus, light activity corresponded to higher deposited dose compared to no activity as well as an adult male exhibited higher dose, both findings associated with increased inhalation rate. Regarding the internal dose for particle-bound metals higher dose for four out of the five metals was obtained in lungs followed by the muscles for As, the gastrointestinal tract for Cr, the other tissues for Mn, the intestines for Cd and finally for Pb higher dose was found in bones and blood.

Modeling vehicle interior noise exposure dose on freeways: Considering weaving segment designs and engine operation

ABSTRACTVehicle interior noise functions at the dominant frequencies of 500 Hz below and around 800 Hz, which fall into the bands that may impair hearing. Recent studies demonstrated that freeway commuters are chronically exposed to vehicle interior noise, bearing the risk of hearing impairment. The interior noise evaluation process is mostly conducted in a laboratory environment. The test results and the developed noise models may underestimate or ignore the noise effects from dynamic traffic and road conditions and configuration. However, the interior noise is highly associated with vehicle maneuvering. The vehicle maneuvering on a freeway weaving segment is more complex because of its nature of conflicting areas. This research is intended to explore the risk of the interior noise exposure on freeway weaving segments for freeway commuters and to improve the interior noise estimation by constructing a decision tree learning–based noise exposure dose (NED) model, considering weaving segment designs and engine operation. On-road driving tests were conducted on 12 subjects on State Highway 288 in Houston, Texas. On-board Diagnosis (OBD) II, a smartphone-based roughness app, and a digital sound meter were used to collect vehicle maneuvering and engine information, International Roughness Index, and interior noise levels, respectively. Eleven variables were obtainable from the driving tests, including the length and type of a weaving segment, serving as predictors. The importance of the predictors was estimated by their out-of-bag–permuted predictor delta errors. The hazardous exposure level of the interior noise on weaving segments was quantified to hazard quotient, NED, and daily noise exposure level, respectively. Results showed that the risk of hearing impairment on freeway is acceptable; the interior noise level is the most sensitive to the pavement roughness and is subject to freeway configuration and traffic conditions. The constructed NED model shows high predictive power (R = 0.93, normalized root-mean-square error [NRMSE] < 6.7%).Implications: Vehicle interior noise is usually ignored in the public, and its modeling and evaluation are generally conducted in a laboratory environment, regardless of the interior noise effects from dynamic traffic, road conditions, and road configuration. This study quantified the interior exposure dose on freeway weaving segments, which provides freeway commuters with a sense of interior noise exposure risk. In addition, a bagged decision tree–based interior noise exposure dose model was constructed, considering vehicle maneuvering, vehicle engine operational information, pavement roughness, and weaving segment configuration. The constructed model could significantly improve the interior noise estimation for road engineers and vehicle manufactures.

Α dosimetry model of hygroscopic particle growth in the human respiratory tract

The objective of the current study was to determine the growth and deposition of hygroscopic aerosol particles in the human respiratory tract. A hygroscopic particle growth methodology was incorporated into an existing particle dosimetry model (Exposure Dose Model 2, ExDoM2) using the κ-Kohler theory, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) formulation for hygroscopic growth and mathematical formulations for taking into account the residence time, the influence of hygroscopicity on the particle’s density, and hygroscopic growth at 99.5% relative humidity. In order to validate ExDoM2, the results of the model were compared with experimental total deposition data for NaCl particles. The incorporation of the hygroscopic growth resulted in predictions closer to the experimental data than to model results without the use of a hygroscopic model formulation. The hygroscopicity plays a more significant role in the lower regions (tracheobronchial (TB) and alveolar-interstitial (AI) regions) of the respiratory tract. In particular, the hygroscopicity of NaCl particles decreases the deposition in the AI region for particles in the size range 0.03 μm ≤ aerodynamic diameter (dae) ≤ 0.2 μm while for the size range 0.3 μm ≤ dae ≤ 3 μm, the hygroscopicity increases the deposition in the AI region. In addition, it is observed that the deposition of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 particles with dae ≥ 0.30 μm is higher when the hygroscopic properties of the particles are taken into consideration. However, the particle deposition in the range 0.02 μm ≤ dae ≤ 0.25 μm is decreased due to hygroscopicity.

A Case Study of Landfill Workers Exposure and Dose to Particulate Matter-Bound Metals

The objective of the current study was to estimate the dose in human tissues after inhalation exposure to airborne particulate matter-bound metals at a landfill site. Field measurements have revealed that the 8-h permissible exposure limit set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for particulate matter (PM10) was not exceeded for the working personnel at an outdoor weighing facility in the Akrotiri landfill (Chania, Greece). However, PM10 concentrations were exceeding the EU health protection standards (50 μg/m3). Furthermore, dust emanating from landfill operations contains traces of heavy metals due to the nature of materials (e.g., sludge, batteries) which have been deposited over the lifetime of the landfill. In addition, particulate matter-bound metals concentrations at the landfill are enhanced by refuse truck emissions (e.g., exhaust, tire wear dust, brake wear dust, road surface wear dust and resuspension of deposited PM on a road surface) and resuspension from the surface of the composting site. Estimations of particle-bound metals dose in the human body were performed for arsenite (ASIII), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The Exposure Dose Model (ExDoM) in conjunction with a Physiologically Based PharmacoKinetic (PBPK) model was applied to determine the dose for an adult Caucasian male worker. The ExDoM was used to estimate the human exposure and the deposition, dose, clearance, retention of particulate matter-bound metals in the human respiratory tract and the mass transferred to the gastrointestinal tract and blood. The PBPK model was developed to describe the movement of metals from the blood into the tissues as a blood-flow-limited model. The results showed that after 1 day of exposure to PMAsIII, the major accumulation occurs in the lung, muscle and liver. In addition, for PMPb, the major accumulation occurs in the bone, blood and muscle whereas as regard PMCd the major accumulation occurs in the other tissues (the rest of the body), kidney and liver. The results indicate an increased health risk for an adult Caucasian male worker at the landfill site due to exposure to elevated particulate matter concentrations and their associated metallic content.

The effect of dust emissions from open storage piles to particle ambient concentration and human exposure

The current study focus on the determination of dust emissions from piles in open storage yards of a municipal solid waste (MSW) composting site and the subsequent atmospheric dust dispersion. The ISC3-ST (Industrial Source Complex Version 3 – Short Term) model was used for the evaluation of the PM10 ambient concentrations associated with the dispersion of MSW compost dust emissions in air. Dust emission rates were calculated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed dust resuspension formulation from open storage piles using local meteorological data. The dispersion modelling results on the spatial distribution of PM10 source depletion showed that the maximum concentrations were observed at a distance 25–75m downwind of the piles in the prevailing wind direction. Sensitivity calculations were performed also to reveal the effect of the compost pile height, the friction velocity and the receptor height on the ambient PM10 concentration. It was observed that PM10 concentrations (downwind in the prevailing wind direction) increased with increasing the friction velocity, increasing the pile height (for distances greater than 125m from the source) and decreasing the receptor height (for distances greater than 125m from the source). Furthermore, the results of ISC3-ST were analysed with the ExDoM (Exposure Dose Model) human exposure model. The ExDoM is a model for calculating the human exposure and the deposition dose, clearance, and finally retention of aerosol particles in the human respiratory tract (RT). PM10 concentration at the composting site was calculated as the sum of the concentration from compost pile dust resuspension and the background concentration. It was found that the exposure to PM10 and deposited lung dose for an adult Caucasian male who is not working at the composting site is less by 20–74% and 29–84%, respectively, compared to those for a worker exposed to PM concentrations at the composting site.

PHYSICAL MODELS AND LIMITS OF RADIONUCLIDES FOR DECORATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS

In the past, the external exposure dose model for soil (the soil's physical model) was used to calculate the doses of decorative building materials because there was no materials model. In this paper, physical models are proposed to calculate the absorbed dose rates in air from decorative building materials by Monte Carlo simulation with the EGSnrc code. The physical models of this paper greatly differ from physical models for soil. The good agreement between simulations and measured absorbed dose rate in indoor air indicates that the results obtained by the Monte Carlo simulations are realistic. The absorbed dose rates in air calculated by physical models for soil are much higher than the measured dose rates. According to the reports of UNSCEAR 2000 and ICRP 1999, the limits of radionuclides in some kinds of decorative building materials were deduced by using the physical models for materials presented in our work. The limits of every kind of decorative building material from our work are different.

A Simulation-Assessment Modeling Approach for Analyzing Environmental Risks of Groundwater Contamination at Waste Landfill Sites

ABSTRACT An integrated simulation-assessment modeling approach for analyzing environmental risks of groundwater contamination is proposed in this paper. It incorporates an analytical groundwater solute transport model, an exposure dose model, and a fuzzy risk assessment model within a general framework. The transport model is used for predicting contaminant concentrations in subsurface, and the exposure dose model is used for calculating contaminant ingestion during the exposure period under given exposure pathways. Both models are solved through the Monte Carlo simulation technique to reflect the associated uncertainties. Based on consideration of fuzzy relationships between exposure doses and cancer risks, risk levels of different exposure doses for each contaminant can be calculated to form a fuzzy relation matrix. The overall risks can then be quantified through further fuzzy synthesizing operations. Thus, probabilistic quantification of different risk levels (possibilities) can be realized. Results of the case study indicate that environmental risks at the waste landfill site can be effectively analyzed through the developed methodology. They are useful for supporting the related risk-management and remediation decisions.

A Biomathematical Model of Particle Clearance and Retention in the Lungs of Coal Miners: II. Evaluation of Variability and Uncertainty

The objective of this study is to investigate the sources of variability and uncertainty in a previously developed human lung dosimetry model. That three-compartment model describes the retention and clearance kinetics of respirable particles in the gas-exchange region of the lungs. It was calibrated using exposure histories and lung dust burden data in U.S. coal miners. A multivariate parameter estimation and optimization method was developed for fitting the dosimetry model to these human data. Models with various assumptions about overloading of alveolar clearance and interstitialization (sequestration) of particles were evaluated. Variability in the estimated clearance rate coefficients was assessed empirically by fitting the model to groups' and to each miner's data. Distributions of lung and lymph node particle burdens were computed at working lifetime exposures, using the variability in the estimated individual clearance rate coefficients. These findings confirm those of the earlier analysis; i.e., the best-fitting exposure–dose model to these data has substantial interstitialization/sequestration of particles and no dose-dependent decline in alveolar clearance. Among miners with different characteristics for smoking, disease, and race, the group median estimated alveolar clearance rate coefficients varied by a factor of approximately 4. Adjustment for these group differences provided some improvement in the dosimetry model fit to all miners (up to 25% reduction in MSE), although unexplained interindividual differences made up the largest source of variability. The predicted mean lung and lymph node particle burdens at age 75 after exposure to respirable coal mine dust at 2 mg/m2 for a 45-year working lifetime were 12 g (5th and 95th percentiles, 3.0–26 g) and 1.9 g (0.26–5.3), respectively. This study provides quantitative information on variability in particle retention and clearance kinetics in humans. It is useful for risk assessment by providing estimated lung dust burdens associated with occupational exposure to respirable particles.

The use of Monte Carlo simulation techniques to predict population blood lead levels

Effective management of the risks posed by lead depends on an understanding of the relationship between exposure (the presence and accessibility of lead in the environment) and dose (blood lead levels). Our paper begins by outlining the type of information most valuable to a decision maker addressing the lead problem. A useful exposure-dose characterisation must address multiple contamination sources simultaneously, provide estimates of the number of people with blood lead levels exceeding critical thresholds, and assess the influence of "modifying factors" (e.g. the soil and dust ingestion rate) on population blood lead variability. We describe a pilot effort to develop an "urban setting" lead exposure-dose model, and use this model to compare three approaches for generating model input quantities: (1) worst-case estimates, (2) central estimates and (3) Monte Carlo simulation. Using the criteria outlined above, we find that the Monte Carlo technique provides the most useful model output. We describe the population blood lead level distribution generated by the model, as well as the relative influence of environmental and behavioural factors on the variability of the population distribution. Finally, we assess the impact of parameter uncertainty on the model output, and contend this type of information can help identify areas in which further empirical study would be most valuable.