Inhaling fine particles (<5 µm) poses serious health risks in the lungs and other organs. Ultra-fine particles (=0.1 µm) are even more concerning due to their high reactivity and potential to move through tissue barriers. Current research is focused on non-radioactive particles like dust and vehicle emissions, overlooking radioactive (hot) particles. We do not really understand how hot particles behave in the human body or what their health impacts are, even though hot particles are present in many environments and workplaces, and that they could cause chemical and radiotoxicity. The HOP-CART project aims to address this lack of knowledge using a unique, multidisciplinary approach. We concentrate efforts on uranium particles and cesium-rich microparticles (CsMPs), which are common in the environment as a result of nuclear disasters and human activity, and use dissolution studies, in vivo, in vitro, and modelling approaches to unequivocally define hot particle behavior and impacts.

2025

2029