6.4. Studies on the deposition efficiency of charged particles in the respiratory tract

5Project management: Helmholtz center Munich
Start: 15 August 2023
End: 15 October 2026

Background

The large electric field strengths at live components of high-voltage overhead lines can lead to the ionisation of air components and a change in the charge state of airborne particles. Because the charge on particles modulates the deposition behaviour of these particles, the charge state can be a dose-determining factor. In research project 3618S82453 (only in German) references on exposure to charged particles and ions in the vicinity of overhead power lines was compiled and compared with literature data on deposition efficiency in the respiratory tract. According to the current state of research, no health-relevant effects can be assumed.

However, this assessment is based on only few studies on the deposition of charged particles in the respiratory tract and in respiratory tract models and is accordingly subject to uncertainties. For particle sizes for which thermodynamic deposition dominates, the deposition efficiency of charged particles measured in experiments was considerably above theoretical expectations. This necessitates an experimental validation of these results.

Objective

The research project aims to validate the results of an experiment (study by Cohen et al, 1995) to determine the deposition efficiency of charged particles in a simple respiratory tract model. The aim is to determine the dependence of the deposition efficiency on the charge with greater accuracy, to draw a comparison with the theoretical expectations and to place the results in the current state of knowledge presented in research project 3618S82453. The project serves to reduce uncertainties in risk assessment.