Workplace Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Acute Airway Responses

Abstract

Workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is common, affecting 17% of U.S. adults. Workers in certain occupations have an even higher prevalence of ETS exposure, especially food service, construction trades, and mechanics. In many workplaces, such as bars, restaurants, and airlines, concentrations of airborne nicotine and other ETS constituents reach particularly high levels. The California time-activity survey indicated that the workplace was the major site of total ETS exposure for nonsmoking men (46% of total person-minutes of exposure) and women (35% of person-minutes), followed by home exposure (15% and 20%, respectively). Workplace ETS exposure has been linked with acute upper respiratory tract and corneal mucous membrane irritation, resulting in eye, nose, and throat irritation symptoms. Workplace ETS exposure has also been associated with lower respiratory tract symptoms, impaired lung function, and exacerbation of adult asthma. Since workplace smoking prohibition effectively reduces ETS exposure, such policies should confer substantial short- and long-term public health benefits.