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Physical & Chemical properties

Particle size distribution (Granulometry)

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Endpoint:
particle size distribution (granulometry)
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Remarks:
Missing data: - Expected percent change of reported values in the future (e.g. variations between production batches) - Temperature, pH - Stoke's (effective hydrodynamic) radius Rs distribution for 2 ≤ Rs ≤ 200 μm - Mean value and approximate "area" (percent) of any resolvable peaks in Rs distribution - Percent of particles with Rs ≤ 2 μm - Percent of particles with Rs ≥ 200 μm
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
reference to same study
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
reference to same study
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
reference to same study
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 110 (Particle Size Distribution / Fibre Length and Diameter Distributions - Method A: Particle Size Distribution (effective hydrodynamic radius)
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
please refer to the field "Rational to reliability incl. deficiencies" above
GLP compliance:
no
Type of method:
Laser scattering/diffraction
Type of distribution:
volumetric distribution
Remarks on result:
not measured/tested
Percentile:
D10
Mean:
4.4 µm
St. dev.:
2.53
Percentile:
D50
Mean:
11.4 µm
St. dev.:
7.16
Percentile:
D90
Mean:
23.3 µm
St. dev.:
4.75
Remarks on result:
not measured/tested

The parameters d90, d50 and d10 are the cut off particle size below which 90 %, 50 % and 10 % of the total particle volume lies. The parameter dv and ds are respectively the volume mean diameter and the surface area mean diameter.

All values were calculated assuming that the particles are spherical.

d50 = 11.4 µm

d90 = 23.3 µm

d10 = 4.4 µm

dv= 12.8 µm

ds= 8.4 µm

Conclusions:
All values were calculated assuming that the particles are spherical.
d50 = 11.4 µm
d90 = 23.3 µm
d10 = 4.4 µm
Endpoint:
particle size distribution (granulometry)
Remarks:
dustiness
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
test procedure in accordance with national standard methods
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
DIN 55992-1 (Determination of a parameter for the dust formation of pigments and extenders - Part 1: Rotation method)
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
The Heubach dust meter is modified in a way that a seven stage cascade impactor is connected to the system.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
The Heubach dust meter is modified in a way that a seven stage cascade impactor is connected to the system. This involves an additional air fed of 20 L/min via the coarse dust separator needed to supply the cascade impactor with 40 L/min air current as specified in the manufacturer’s specificcations.

The calculation report: Grewe, T (2012)

The Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry Model (MPPD, v2.0; CIIT, 2006) was used to predict this fractional deposition behaviour for workers.
The model algorithms calculate the deposition (and clearance) of mono-disperse and polydisperse aerosols in the respiratory tract for particles ranging from ultra-fine (0.01 microns) to coarse (20 microns) sizes. Within each airway, deposition is calculated using theoretically derived efficiencies for deposition by diffusion, sedimentation and impaction within the airway or airway bifurcation. Filtration of aerosols by the head is determined using empirical efficiency functions (for further information see "attached background material").
GLP compliance:
no
Type of method:
rotating drum method
Type of distribution:
volumetric distribution
Mass median aerodynamic diameter:
23.59 µm
Geometric standard deviation:
2.75
Remarks on result:
not measured/tested
Remarks on result:
not measured/tested

Dustiness (airborne fraction): total: 61.99 mg/g.

In the original study report by DMT, a calculation of the mass median diameter was not conducted. Since the deposited fractions were provided for each of the cascade impactor stages, it was possible to fit a bimodal lognormal distribution to the data by standard non-linear regression procedure. As a result, the MMAD and GSD are calculable and reported ( MMAD=23.59 µm, GSD= 2.75).

As the cascade impactor already takes aerodynamic characteristics of the particles into account, the reported mass median diameter can be interpreted as the mass median aerodynamic diameter.

This figure and the corresponding GSD were used as distribution parameters for the MPPD model enabling an estimation of deposited dust fractions in the human respiratory tract: These fractions were estimated as follows:

Head (ET): 51.8 %

Tracheobronchial (TB): 0.5 %

Pulmonary (PU): 0.7 %

Conclusions:
Total Dustiness (airborne fraction): 61.99 mg/g (experimental results, DMT Report).

Mass median aerodynamic diamater of airborne fraction: MMAD= 23.59 µm (distribution fitted to cascade impactor data). Geometric standard deviation of MMAD: GSD= 2.75

Fractional deposition in human respiratory tract (MPPD model, based on calculated MMAD):
Head (ET): 51.8 %
Tracheobronchial (TB): 0.5 %
Pulmonary (PU): 0.7 %

A suitable method for determining the PSD of a dry powder to assess the inhalation potential of airborne dust resulting from the handling of that powder is cascade impactor testing (Dustiness). During the cascade impactor testing, the material gets moderately agitated in a rotating drum (to simulate agitation during typical occupational powder handling activities). A constant airstream directs any generated airborne dust to a cascade impactor in which the particles and their agglomerates get separated according to their size.
The aerodynamic PSD is described as being monomodal. With the given parameters it is possible to calculate the cumulated mass percentage of particles at or below 4 µm. This fraction does however not indicate how much is deposited in the deep lung if such aerosol would be inhaled. Instead, the fractional deposition in the human respiratory tract was calculated using the MPPD model.
Thus, only a sub-fraction of 0.7 % particles could deposit in the alveoli of the human lung.

Description of key information

The total Dustiness (airborne fraction): 61.99 mg/g (experimental results, DMT Report).

Mass median aerodynamic diamater of airborne fraction: MMAD= 23.59 µm (distribution fitted to cascade impactor data). Geometric standard deviation of MMAD: GSD= 2.75

Fractional deposition in human respiratory tract (MPPD model, based on calculated MMAD):

Head (ET): 51.8 %

Tracheobronchial (TB): 0.5 %

Pulmonary (PU): 0.7 %

Particle Size analysis by laser diffraction:

d50 = 11.4 µm

d90 = 23.3 µm

d10 = 4.4 µm

(All values were calculated assuming that the particles are spherical.)

Additional information

The so-called physical particle size distribution (PSD) was obtained by the laser diffraction method in a wet dispersion after ultrasonic treatment for individualisation of the particles and further mechanical stirring. The particle size of the individualised particles is provided.

Any agglomerates of particles normally existing in the pigment powder were destroyed by (i) the contact with water, (ii) the ultrasonic treatment and (iii) the mechanical stirring. Such agitation of the dry pigment does however not occur under intended and foreseeable manufacture and use conditions and is therefore not suitable to deduce the likelihood of inhalation exposure under workplace conditions.

A suitable method for determining the PSD of a dry powder to assess the inhalation potential of airborne dust resulting from the handling of that powder is cascade impactor testing (Dustiness). During the cascade impactor testing, the material gets moderately agitated in a rotating drum (to simulate agitation during typical occupational powder handling activities). A constant airstream directs any generated airborne dust to a cascade impactor in which the particles and their agglomerates get separated according to their size.

The aerodynamic PSD is described as being monomodal. With the given parameters it is possible to calculate the cumulated mass percentage of particles at or below 4 µm. This fraction does however not indicate how much is deposited in the deep lung if such aerosol would be inhaled. Instead, the fractional deposition in the human respiratory tract was calculated using the MPPD model.

Thus, only a sub-fraction of 0.7 % particles could deposit in the alveoli of the human lung.