The Challenge
Quantifying Inhaled Particle Deposition
Inhalation is a primary exposure route for airborne contaminants including PFAS, PAHs, and engineered nanomaterials. Regulatory risk assessment requires quantitative estimates of where particles deposit in the respiratory tract and how much mass reaches each lung region. Existing deposition models were not easily accessible as web-based tools with standardized APIs.
Our Methodology
A comprehensive approach to lung deposition modeling and cloud deployment
Dual Dosimetry Framework
Implemented both the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) model and the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) model, enabling users to compare regional deposition estimates from two gold-standard approaches.
Regional Deposition Computation
Computes deposition fractions across three respiratory regions: head airways (HA/extrathoracic), tracheobronchial (TB), and alveolar (AL). Accounts for particle size, density, shape factor, and breathing parameters.
Mass and Surface Area Dosimetry
Calculates not only deposited mass per region but also surface area coverage and size-fraction contributions (coarse, fine, and ultrafine particles), providing comprehensive dosimetric profiles for risk assessment.
Predefined Exposure Scenarios
Includes predefined scenarios for PFAS (based on Lin et al. measurements), PAHs, silane-based substances, and other contaminant classes. Users can also define custom particle distributions and breathing patterns.
PFAS Case Study Validation
Validated using PFAS deposition at a landfill site. ICRP model predicted ~110 pg/h total deposition: HA 77%, TB 5%, AL 18%. MPPD model showed HA 66%, TB 13%, AL 21%, demonstrating model consistency and intercomparison capability.
REST API and Cloud Deployment
Deployed on the Enalos Cloud Platform with RESTful API for programmatic integration into exposure assessment pipelines and regulatory workflows.