Particles and Health
Partiklar och hälsa

MAM001F, 6 credits

Valid from: Spring 2015
Decided by: FN3/Per Tunestål
Date of establishment: 2015-04-07

General Information

Division: Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching language: English

Aim

The aim of the course is to mediate knowledge of how particles may affect human health. Particles of different origin such as atmospheric, indoor, workplace aerosols and engineered nanoparticles will be covered. The participants will learn how to assess exposures and effects of particles as well as relationships between particle properties and toxicological effects. The course will provide insight into the latest research in the field through lectures given by leading invited researchers.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• • Be able to describe the major epidemiological findings related to particle exposures
• • Be able to describe particle characteristics and common exposure levels from a number of sources: combustion, indoor, work place, engineered nanoparticles and bioaerosols
• • Be able to connect particle characteristics with toxicological effects
• • Be able to describe the processes affecting particle deposition in the lungs, particle translocation and interaction with proteins.
• • If with medical/biological background: be able to briefly describe basic concepts in aerosol physics
• • If with technical background: be able to briefly describe the physiology of the lung and basic mechanisms of inflammation.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• • Be able to carry out measurements and evaluate data on a basic level with simple particle monitors
• • Have gained experience and received tools to participate in the multidisciplinary dialogue needed to solve societal problems related to particles and health.
• • Have gained experience in describing a societal problem related to particles and health in written and oral form

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• • Be able to choose and motivate the use of a, for the research area, suitable particle monitoring technique for given exposure situation
• • Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research with a set of toxicological approaches: human, animal and cells as well as epidemiological studies
• • Be able to judge and interpret risk assessments for societal problems related to particle exposures

Course Contents

• Basic lung physiology, basic toxicology (genotoxicity), inflammatory processes • Basic aerosol physics and chemistry • Techniques to measure exposure and characterize particles • Known diseases associated with particles and ways to measure health effects • Short- and longterm effects of particle exposure, population-studies • Formation of particles, dispersion and transformation and deposition in the lungs • The occurrence of particles and their properties at various work places as well as in out- and indoors air • Important sources such as combustion-derived particles, atmospheric particles • Engineered nanoparticles / nanotoxicology • Toxicological approaches based on cell, animal and humans exposures • Particle interactions with proteins • Aerosol drug delivery in pharmaceutical industry • Electronic cigarettes • Exposure assessment and risk assessment

Course Literature

Ruzer, L. & Harley, N.: Aerosols Handbook: Meaurement, Dosimetry, and Health Effects. ISBN 9781439855102.
In addition overview papers and other book chapters

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, laboratory exercises, project, self-study literature review, study visit

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written report, written assignments. • Individual home assignment task before the lecture part of the course, summarize two review papers and discuss these in groups 0,5 week (0,75 points) • Lectures 1,5 week (2,25 points) • Multi-disciplinary group task on a societal problem related to particles and health. Presented in writing and orally 1,5 week (2,25 points) • Final home assignment 0,5 week (0,75 points)
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: The course is open for PhD-students within the area particles and health. Last year master students who have a documented research interest in the area will be admitted if there are spaces left.
Assumed prior knowledge: Knowledge on advanced level on either aerosol technology/exposure assessment/nanotechnology/combustion or toxicology/medicine/biomarkers
Selection criteria: PhD students within the Metalund research school have primary priority. Secondary priority to other PhD students with relevant research direction for the scope of the course. Maximum 20-25 participants

Further Information

http://www.metalund.lu.se/english/research_school/courses/particles_and_health/

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:

• Christina Isaxon <christina.isaxon@design.lth.se>
• Jakob Löndahl <jakob.londahl@design.lth.se>