Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Whole-Body Nanoparticle Aerosol Inhalation Exposures
Published on: May 7, 2013
Influence of relative humidity on functional effects of an inhaled SO2-aerosol mixture
Abstract:
Lightly anesthetized guinea pigs were exposed to 1 ppm of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 1 mg per m3 of sodium chloride aerosol, individually and in combination, at low and high relative humidities. At low relative humidity (less than 40 per cent) the aerosol was a crystal, at high relative humidity (greater than 80 per cent) a droplet. Exposures lasted one hour. Changes in pulmonary mechanical function characterized by an increase in flow resistance and decrease in compliance were seen only when the mixture was administered at high relative humidity. The effect is ascribed to absorption of the highly soluble SO2 into the droplet before inhalation.
Related Concept Videos
02:19Physical Properties Affecting Solubility
As for any solution, the solubility of a gas in a liquid is affected by the attractive intermolecular forces between solute and solvent species. Unlike solid and liquid solutes, however, there is no solute-solute intermolecular attraction to overcome when a gaseous solute dissolves in a liquid solvent since the atoms or molecules comprising a gas are far separated and experience negligible interactions. Consequently, solute-solvent interactions are the sole...
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...