Diesel particle composition after exhaust after-treatment of an off-road diesel engine and modeling of deposition into the human lung

Abstract Regional deposition of diesel particles in the human lungs was analyzed and the chemical composition of inhaled particles was investigated. The off-road diesel engine with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit and without any exhaust after-treatment system was used. Around 85–95% of the measured particles were of ultrafine size and 53–84% of those nanoparticles. Over 70% of the deposited particles under 0.1 µm and about 45–70% of the deposited particles from 0.1 to 1 µm reach also the alveolar–interstitial level. Elements analyzed in particles were C, O, Fe, Si, Ti, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Ba, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cl, P, S and N. The proportion of PAHs in the measured particle mass was 0.05% and carcinogenic ones represented 1.3% of the total PAHs. The DPF system removed particles efficiently and up to 99% of the particles were removed. The total number of particles deposited in the lungs was generally lower when DPF was used compared to other setups. These particles contained though the largest variety of elements, which are commonly considered harmful to humans. Therefore it is difficult to conclude, whether exhaust particles from a diesel engine with a DPF unit would be less harmful to human health.