Second-hand smoke and fine particulate matter exposures among multi-unit housing residents in Singapore: A pilot study

Abstract

Globally, approximately 1.2 million deaths among non-smokers are attributed to second-hand smoke (SHS) per year. Multi-unit housing is becoming the common type of residential dwelling in developed cities and the issue of neighbour SHS is of rising concern especially as ‘Work From Home’ became the norm during and post COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this pilot study is to measure and compare the air quality of households that are exposed to SHS and unexposed households among smoking and non-smoking households in Singapore. A total of 27 households were recruited from April to August 2021. Households were categorized into smoking households with neighbour SHS, smoking households without neighbour SHS, non-smoking households with neighbour SHS, and non-smoking household without neighbour SHS. Air quality of the households was measured using calibrated particulate matter (PM2.5) sensors for 7–16 days. Socio-demographic information and self-reported respiratory health were collected. Regression models were used to identify predictors associated with household PM2.5 concentrations and respiratory health. Mean PM2.5 concentration was significantly higher among non-smoking households with neighbour SHS (n = 5, mean = 22.2, IQR = 12.7) than in non-smoking household without neighbour SHS (n = 2, mean = 4.1, IQR = 5.8). Smoking activity at enclosed areas in homes had the lowest PM2.5 concentration (n = 7 mean = 15.9, IQR = 11.0) among the three smoking locations. Exposure to higher household PM2.5 concentration was found to be associated with poorer respiratory health. A ‘smoke-free residential building’ policy is recommended to tackle the issue of rising neighbour SHS complaints and health concerns in densely populated multi-unit housing in Singapore. Public education campaigns should encourage smokers to smoke away from the home to minimize SHS exposure in household members.