Song, Seongeun Lee, Gwan-Ho Oh, Min-Seok Lim, Sungsu Kim, Yun Kyung Kim, Youngsoo Yu, Byung-Yong 2026-01-15T02:30:11Z 2026-01-15T02:30:11Z 2026-01-14 2026-01 0013-936X https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/154001 Particulate matter (PM) poses a major health risk, yet quantifying the biodistribution of inhaled PM at an environmentally relevant concentration remains analytically challenging. Here, we developed a 14C-nanotracing platform integrated with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to achieve subpicogram sensitivity for organ-level quantification of inhaled PM. 14C-labeled black carbon PM was generated via pyrolysis of 14C-n-hexane and introduced into a controlled inhalation chamber. ICR mice (n = 7) were exposed to short-intense (1 h, high concentration) and long-mild (3 h day–1 for 7 days, low concentration) protocols to represent acute and subchronic exposure conditions. Quantitative AMS analysis revealed systemic translocation of carbonaceous PM, with organ burdens following the order lung > liver > kidney > brain. After short-term exposure, 360 pg accumulated in the liver, 120 pg in the kidney, and 4.8 pg in brain tissue, whereas prolonged exposure increased these burdens by 3–6-fold, reaching 15 pg in the brain. These findings indicate substantial retention of PM across multiple organs including neural tissues of the brain. This 14C-nanotracing approach enables a quantitative framework for linking inhaled PM exposure to systemic burden, supporting toxicokinetic modeling and evidence-based air quality regulation. English American Chemical Society Quantitative Assessment of Particulate Matter Biodistribution Using 14C-Nanotracing and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Article 10.1021/acs.est.5c11834 1 Environmental Science & Technology, v.60, no.3, pp.2353 - 2364 Environmental Science & Technology 60 3 2353 2364 N scie 001661990700001 Engineering, Environmental Environmental Sciences Engineering Environmental Sciences & Ecology Article TERM PARTICLE CLEARANCE NANOPARTICLE UPTAKE SIZE MODEL PERMEABILITY MUCOCILIARY AIRWAYS particulate matter C-14-nanotracing accelerator mass spectrometry biodistribution inhalation exposure environmental toxicology exposure assessment