Figure 1.

Diagram of the experimental perfusion system used for this study. The ultrafine iridium particles (Ir-UFP) radiolabelled with ¹⁹²Ir were produced in the spark generator. At the exit of spark generator the aerosol was quasi-neutralized by a radioactive ⁸⁵Kr source. The aerosol was diluted with nitrogen and with oxygen and adjusted to obtain 20% oxygen and was air conditioned at 50–60 % relative humidity. The particle size distribution and number concentration were monitored by a differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) and a condensation particle counter (CPC). ¹⁹²Ir-UFP radioactivity of the aerosol was determined by continuous aerosol sampling of a measured volume and integral radioactivity counting. The lungs were perfused at a perfusion rate of 5 ml/min and a stroke volume of 10 ml. Respiration rate set at 65 breaths per minute. Negative ventilation pressure in chamber was regulated with animal ventilator. Lungs were manually expanded (sighed) every 4 minutes by applying a negative pressure of -2.5 kPa to the chamber.