Particles and Health
Partiklar och hälsa

MAM001F, 6 credits

Valid from: Spring 2023
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 origins will be covered in three themes: 1) Transport, Energy and Atmosphere, 2) Indoor Air and 3) Work Place Air. 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 internationally leading 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: transportation and energy, indoor, work place and bioaerosols
• be able to connect particle characteristics with toxicological effects
• be able to describe the processes affecting particle deposition in the lungs and particle translocation
• 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 actively 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 particle monitoring technique suitable for the research area and for a given exposure situation
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of toxicological approaches through exposures of humans, animals and cells as well as for epidemiological studies
• be able to judge and interpret risk assessments for societal problems related to particle exposures

Course Contents

• Basic lung physiology, basic toxicology, 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 long-term effects of particle exposure, health impact assessment • 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 outdoor and indoor air • Important sources such as transport and energy production and atmospheric transformation • Toxicological approaches based on cell, animal and human exposures • Aerosol drug delivery in pharmaceutical industry • Disease transmission by aerosols • Risk Assessment

Course Literature

Ruzer, Lev S. & Harley, Naomi H.: Aerosols Handbook: Measurement, Dosimetry, and Health Effects, Second Edition. CRC Press, 2012. 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 (full-time equivalent): 1.5 weeks (2.25 points) • Multi-disciplinary group task on a societal problem related to particles and health. Presented in writing and orally: 1.5 weeks (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. The course is open to PhD students at other universities as well as master students in their final year who have a documented research interest in the area.
Assumed prior knowledge: Knowledge on advanced level on either aerosol technology/exposure assessment/combustion or toxicology/medicine/biomarkers.
Selection criteria: Max. 20-25 participants. Priority is given to PhD students within the LTH profile area Aerosols, participants in the research school ClimBEco and PhD Students at the LU medical faculty in the area Airborne Particles & Health. In case of remaining slots, the course is even open to PhD students with relevant research education for the course objectives and finally to master students in their final year who have a documented research interest in the area.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:
Web page: https://www.design.lth.se/utbildning/forskarutbildning/forskarutbildningskurser/