title: Theoretical modeling of fine-particle deposition in 3-dimensional bronchial bifurcations.
abstract: A theoretical model is developed for the prediction of the peak to average particle deposition flux in the human bronchial airways. The model involves the determination of the peak flux by a round-nose 2-dimensional bifurcation channel and the average deposition flux by a curved-tube model. The "hot-spot" effect for all generations in the human respiratory system is estimated. It is found that the peak deposition flux is higher than the average deposition flux by a factor ranging between 5 and 30, depending on the generation number. The importance of this peak to average deposition flux ratio on consideration of environmental safety studies is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D001980:Bronchi; D004058:Diffusion; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants