Fine dust toxicity evaluation device and method for evaluating fine dust toxicity using the same

Dual-reactor-based fine dust skin toxicity evaluation device simulating actual atmospheric conditions

This technology is a fine dust toxicity evaluation device that places an inner reactor within an outer reactor and sprays powdered and liquid fine dust precursors to generate fine dust simulants similar to real-world conditions inside the reactor. It evaluates the toxicity of samples mounted on a sample holder while reproducing actual atmospheric conditions by controlling the temperature, humidity, and light intensity of the external space.

Fine dust is reported to cause various skin conditions, including skin aging, pigmentation, atopic dermatitis, and acne, leading to a surge in demand for anti-pollution products. However, existing evaluation methods have limitations in sufficiently reproducing the composition of actual fine dust and atmospheric conditions, making it difficult to obtain objective and accurate toxicity test results.

This technology forms fine dust simulants through physicochemical and photochemical reactions by spraying carbon compound powder and liquid precursors—such as nitrates, ammonium salts, and sulfates—via separate injection units. It performs highly reproducible evaluations by exposing multiple skin tissue samples simultaneously. Applicable to verifying the efficacy of anti-pollution cosmetics and studying the human impact of air pollution, it enables the acquisition of highly reliable product efficacy data under conditions close to real-world environments.

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Key Features:

• An outer reactor with a first internal space and an inner reactor disposed therein with a second internal space
• A sample holder disposed in the second internal space, on which a plurality of fine dust toxicity test samples, including skin tissue, are mounted
• An injection device equipped with a first injection unit for spraying powdered precursors and a second injection unit for spraying liquid precursors such as nitrates, ammonium salts, and sulfates
• An atmospheric environment simulation unit that simulates actual atmospheric conditions by controlling the temperature, humidity, and light intensity of the first internal space

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the production of an artificial skin-equipped fine dust chamber and skin impact evaluation.

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