title: An automated exposure system for human inhalation study.
abstract: The authors developed a computer-based exposure system for human inhalation research to study the toxicokinetics of gases. The system uses a set of computer-controlled solenoid valves that regulates inhaled gases and collect exhaled breaths from the subject in accordance with a predetermined time schedule. The volunteer's breathing activity is monitored simultaneously with a real-time instrument, calibrated by both internal and external standards. The common air pollutant, 1,3-butadiene, was used for system validation. The results indicated that the errors were less than 3% relative to reference standards, and the error in the timing of the valve operation was negligible. The average difference between breath-monitoring methods was within 10%. The proposed system is an easy-to-use, reliable device for human studies; more than 130 subjects were tested in a companion study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Yu-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Peng-Yau
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001331:Automation; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards*; D002070:Butadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D002070:Butadienes; C031763:1,3-butadiene