Deposition Patterns of Carbon Black Nanoparticles in Pulmonary Lobes and Airway Generations: Implications for Lung Remodeling

values ≤ 0.008), absent in ninth-generation airways. Computational modeling revealed 45.2% higher particle deposition in bilateral upper lobes and 3-fold greater deposition in sixth-generation airways, governed by inertial impaction, which dominates in proximal small airways. This study visualizes region-specific pulmonary remodeling associated with CBNP exposure in humans, identifying the bilateral upper lobes and proximal small airways as key vulnerability hotspots. By linking deposition physics-dominated by inertial impaction-to selective regional targeting, these findings provide mechanistic insight into how nanoparticle deposition patterns translate into heterogeneous lung remodeling. The combined use of quantitative HRCT biomarkers and respiratory tract deposition modeling offers a framework for early surveillance and risk assessment of nanomaterial-induced lung injury.