Development and application of a dosimetry model (ExDoM2) for calculating internal dose of specific particle-bound metals in the human body

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to develop a dosimetry model (ExDoM2) for calculating internal dose of specific particle-bound metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr and Mn) in the human body. The ExDoM2 is a revised version of a respiratory tract model (ExDoM) incorporating a new particle clearance mechanism in the respiratory tract model and a Physiologically-Based PharmacoKinetic (PBPK) model. The revised respiratory tract model was used to calculate the deposition, clearance and retention of particles in the human respiratory tract and the mass transferred to the oesophagus (gastrointestinal tract) and blood. The PBPK module was used to analyze the distribution of metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr and Mn) from the blood circulation system to other organs or tissues like liver, kidneys, heart, brain, muscle and bone. The model was applied to calculate the internal human dose for an adult Caucasian male exposed to particulate mass matter (PM), PM_Pb, PM_Cd, PM_Mn and PM_Cr in an urban area (Athens, Greece). The analysis showed that at the end of the exposure (one day exposure scenario) to PM_Pb, the major accumulation occurs in the bone, blood and muscle, whereas as regards PM_Cd the major accumulation occurs in the other tissues, like kidney and liver. In addition, for PM_Mn, the major accumulation occurs in the other tissues and lungs, whereas as regards PM_Cr the major accumulation occurs in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and lungs. Therefore, ExDoM2 is an important feature in studying deposition of particles in the human body.

• Dose
• exposure
• PBPK
• PM10
• respiratory tract

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.