In the present study the transport and deposition of micro/nano-particles in the airway model of a 6 year-old girl was investigated. The realistic airway model includes the nasal cavity, larynx, pharynx, trachea and also bronchial airways up to third generations. This model was developed from a series of high resolution CT scan images. For low to moderate activities, the steady airflows through the entire model of the child’s upper airway passages were simulated. Micro particle trajectories and deposition in the range of 1–30 μm were evaluated using a Lagrangian tracking approach and Eulerian method was used to assess the deposition rate of the nano-particles in the range of 1–150 nm. The deposition of micro and nano-particles in the airway of a child was evaluated and the results were with those for the adults and the differences were discussed. As was expected, a higher breathing resistance was observed for the 6-year-old child compared to adults, which leads to a higher particle deposition rate. The results of this study for the flow field and micro/nano-particle deposition showed the important differences between children and adults. Therefore care should be given to reduce the risk of airborne toxicants on infants and children.

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