Scientists from the Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNRPU) studied how air containing industrial dust particles moves in the respiratory system of people. This will help better understand how pneumonia, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases develop, Perm Polytechnic told socialbites.ca.
Stating that atmospheric air pollution with chemicals and dust particles negatively affects human health, including the respiratory system, researchers stated that modern medical diagnostic methods can only adequately evaluate the patient’s current condition at the time of examination.
The mathematical model developed by scientists makes it possible to study turbulent (vortex) airflow containing solid dust particles of various shapes and sizes in the upper respiratory tract. Based on tomographic images of 30 healthy adults without anatomical abnormalities. The model made it possible to understand how heating the air in the nose at an external temperature between -25 °C and +25 °C affects the movement of dust particles.
It turns out that 99% of particles larger than 10 micrometers (μm) settle in the human nasal cavity before reaching the nasopharynx. But the smaller the diameter and mass of dust particles, the worse they are “caught” by the nose.
Thus, 68% of particles with a diameter of 5-7 microns and 47% of particles with a diameter of 4-5 microns settle in the nasal cavity. Smaller particles (less than 2.5 microns) can reach the lungs. They have a devastating toxic effect and cause lower respiratory tract diseases.
“Due to the complex anatomical structure of the nasal cavity, warming and cleaning occurs. It is a curved network of channels with numerous protrusions and irregularities. When you breathe, the air heats up and enters the lungs warmer, which prevents many diseases from occurring. Dust particles in contact with the mucous membrane partially settle on the walls and are eliminated from the body over time; smaller fragments can penetrate the lungs, “PNIPU Head of the Department of Mathematical Modeling of Systems and Processes, Doctor of Physics, mathematical sciences Petr Trusov told socialbites.ca.
The research of Perm Polytechnic scientists will allow further studies of air flow in human lungs, modeling the occurrence and development of various diseases in the respiratory tract and lungs.
Previously in Russia developed Material used to purify water from manganese and other heavy metals.