Assessment of the Pulmonary Toxicity of Inhaled Gases and Particles With Physicochemical Methods |
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Authors: | Tomasz Sosnowski |
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Affiliation: | Warsaw University of Technology, Poland |
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Abstract: | AbstractPhysicochemical techniques used for evaluating the pulmonary surfactant (PS) quality are discussed as methods useful in assessing toxicity of inhaled gases and particles. Two standard devices, Langmuir-Wilhelmy film balance and pulsating bubble apparatus, are presented in detail, and the measured results of interaction between sulfuric acid and 2 models of PS material are analyzed. The evident decrease in surface activity of the pulmonary surfactant after its contact with the acid at concentrations approaching 0.001 M may be considered as an indicator of the adverse effect, which can result in several health problems. The presented approach can be used as a method of assessing pulmonary toxicity of any substances present in the breathing air. |
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Keywords: | pulmonary surfactant asurface activity pulsating bubble technique Langmuir balance hysteresis |
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