Generation and Administration of Labelled Aerosols for Clearance Studies

ABSTRACT Studies of respiratory tract clearance kinetics require monodisperse, non-toxic, labelled particles with appropriate in vivo dissolution characteristics, and techniques to administer them by inhalation to laboratory animals and human volunteers. Methods used at the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), are described. Radiolabelled polystyrene and fused aluminosilicate particles have been developed for studying particle transport rates from the respiratory tract. 57Co-labelled cobalt oxide is being used to study in vivo dissolution and translocation. A new inhalation facility for administering radioactive aerosols to rodents was recently completed at NRPB, and equipment to administer aerosols to human volunteers under closely monitored and controlled conditions is being developed.