Levels Of Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Research Articles

Polygenic Risk Score, Environmental Tobacco Smoke, and Risk of Lung Adenocarcinoma in Never-Smoking Women in Taiwan

Estimating absolute risk of lung cancer for never-smoking individuals is important to inform lung cancer screening programs. To integrate data on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), a known lung cancer risk factor, with a polygenic risk score (PRS) that captures overall genetic susceptibility, to estimate the absolute risk of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) among never-smokers in Taiwan. The analyses were conducted in never-smoking women in the Taiwan Genetic Epidemiology Study of Lung Adenocarcinoma, a case-control study. Participants were recruited between September 17, 2002, and March 30, 2011. Data analysis was performed from January 17 to July 15, 2022. A PRS was derived using 25 genetic variants that achieved genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8) in a recent genome-wide association study, and ETS was defined as never exposed, exposed at home or at work, and exposed at home and at work. The Individualized Coherent Absolute Risk Estimator software was used to estimate the lifetime absolute risk of LUAD in never-smoking women aged 40 years over a projected 40-year span among the controls by using the relative risk estimates for the PRS and ETS exposures, as well as age-specific lung cancer incidence rates for never-smokers in Taiwan. Likelihood ratio tests were conducted to assess an additive interaction between the PRS and ETS exposure. Data were obtained on 1024 women with LUAD (mean [SD] age, 59.6 [11.4] years, 47.9% ever exposed to ETS at home, and 19.5% ever exposed to ETS at work) and 1024 controls (mean [SD] age, 58.9 [11.0] years, 37.0% ever exposed to ETS at home, and 14.3% ever exposed to ETS at work). The overall average lifetime 40-year absolute risk of LUAD estimated using PRS alone was 2.5% (range, 0.6%-10.3%) among women never exposed to ETS. When integrating both ETS and PRS data, the estimated absolute risk was 3.7% (range, 0.6%-14.5%) for women exposed to ETS at home or work and 5.3% (range, 1.2%-12.1%) for women exposed to ETS at home and work. A super-additive interaction between ETS and the PRS (P = 6.5 × 10-4 for interaction) was identified. This study found differences in absolute risk of LUAD attributed to genetic susceptibility according to levels of ETS exposure in never-smoking women. Future studies are warranted to integrate these findings in expanded risk models for LUAD.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Brain Functioning Associated with Smoking Cue-Reactivity and Inhibitory Control in Nonsmoking Adolescents

Introduction: Despite its well-established negative effects, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure remains highly prevalent worldwide. ETS exposure is associated with a wide range of physical and mental health-related problems among youth, including an increased likelihood to develop nicotine dependence. Up till now, neurocognitive effects of ETS exposure are largely unknown, while such effects could explain the role of ETS exposure in the development of nicotine dependence. Therefore, this preregistered study investigated the role of current ETS exposure in brain functioning associated with smoking cue-reactivity and inhibitory control. Method: Concurrent with functional magnetic resonance imaging, nonsmoking adolescents aged 14–18 years (N = 51) performed a smoking cue-reactivity task, assessing brain functioning to smoking cues, and a Go/NoGo task measuring inhibitory control. ETS exposure was measured using a self-report questionnaire and biochemically verified. Results: No significant associations were observed between current ETS exposure and brain functioning associated with smoking cue-reactivity and inhibitory control. Conclusion: These findings suggest that low-to-moderate levels of current ETS exposure are not associated with increased salience of smoking cues or deficits in inhibitory control in nonsmoking adolescents. Longitudinal research is needed to further clarify the exact effect of lifetime ETS exposure on brain functioning, as well as research focusing on the effects of higher levels of ETS exposure.

Acute Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Controlled Study in Adults with Asthma

Background: Short-term, indoor exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is still highly prevalent; however, little is known about the acute lung response in adult asthma. Objectives: We investigated whether acute, experimental ETS exposure influences symptoms, lung function, and inflammatory parameters. Methods: Human subjects with asthma (n = 23) were exposed for 180 min to either room air or ETS at 250, 450, or 850 µg/m³. Respiratory symptoms, lung function, and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured. Additionally, blood samples were analyzed for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Results: Humans with asthma demonstrate an increase in respiratory symptoms at all levels of ETS exposure, while the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) and FeNO decrease with increasing ETS. The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 increases at intermediate ETS concentrations, whereas tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-8 increase only at the highest ETS concentration. Conclusion: Following 180 min of acute, experimental ETS exposure, we observed a significant increase in respiratory symptoms, a decrease in lung function, and an increase in inflammatory cytokines, indicating an acute lung response in asthma.

Effects of environmental tobacco smoke exposure on brain functioning in never-smoking adolescents.

IntroductionBrain functioning, as indexed by event‐related potentials (ERPs) representing smoking cue reactivity, inhibitory control, and reward processing, has been found to be compromised in smokers. However, whether environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in never smokers results in similar brain changes is unknown. This question is particularly relevant during adolescence, given ongoing brain maturation and a high risk of smoking initiation. The present study tested the associations between ETS exposure and ERPs reflecting cue reactivity (P3, LPP), inhibitory control (N2, P3), and reward processing (anticipation P3 (P3), feedback‐related negativity (FRN)) among never‐smoking adolescents.MethodsEighty‐four never‐smoking adolescents (nonexposed = 32, exposed = 52) performed a smoking cue reactivity, a Go/NoGo, and a monetary incentive delay (MID) task while ERPs were measured.ResultsExposed and nonexposed groups did not differ in ERPs reflecting smoking cue reactivity, inhibitory control, and reward processing. A negative correlation between ETS exposure and the anticipatory P3 suggests reduced anticipatory reward sensitivity for nondrug rewards with increased levels of ETS exposure. However, since this effect was not consistent across analyses, no strong conclusions can be formulated. In the current study, few participants reported high levels of ETS exposure; therefore, further study is necessary.ConclusionsNevertheless, from this study, it can be concluded that low‐to‐moderate exposure to ETS during adolescence does not result in functional brain changes related to smoking cue reactivity, inhibitory control, and reward processing.

The Association of Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Inflammatory Markers in Hospitalized Children.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is associated with altered cytokine levels in children. We sought to examine ETS exposure prevalence and the relationship between ETS exposure and cytokine levels in a sample of hospitalized children. (2) Methods: Inflammatory markers (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α) and cotinine were measured in saliva of hospitalized, nonsmoking children (N = 112). To assess the association between ETS exposure and immune system response, we built a multivariate regression model including the four inflammatory markers as the response variables and cotinine, age, sex, and discharge diagnosis as explanatory variables while assessing possible interaction effects. (3) Results: Mean age (SD) was 5.8(5.0) years; Geometric Mean (GeoM) cotinine = 1.8 [95% CI = 1.4–2.2]. Children with non-inflammatory other diagnoses had lower IL-10 (p = 0.003) and TNF-α (p = 0.009) levels than children with inflammatory other diagnoses. Children with asthma (p = 0.01) and bacterial illnesses and/or pneumonia (p = 0.002) had higher IL-8 levels. Independent of diagnosis, there was a significant curvilinear association between cotinine and IL-1β (p = 0.002) reflecting no association for cotinine levels <5 ng/mL and a positive association for >5 ng/mL. (4) Conclusions: Children with higher ETS exposure levels have higher IL-1β levels regardless of age, sex, and diagnosis. ETS exposure may increase pro-inflammatory immune responses in children and may interfere with native immune responses and the ability to heal and fight infection.

Association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese female never smokers: A population-based cohort study.

Evidence for the association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate this association in female never smokers. We analyzed 28 177 female participants of the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) in the Suzhou area, who were never smokers and had no diabetes. ETS exposure was defined as being exposed to other people's tobacco smoke either at home, workplace, or in public places at least 1 d/wk. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess the association between ETS exposure and incident T2DM according to the frequency and duration of ETS exposure. A total of 774 incident cases of T2DM were identified during a median 7.3-year follow-up. Compared with no ETS exposure, hazard ratios (95% CIs) for all ETS exposure, daily, and ≥14 h/wk ETS exposure were 1.17 (1.00-1.37), 1.23 (1.04-1.46), and 1.25 (1.03-1.53), respectively. Moreover, a positive dose-response relationship was observed between ETS exposure level and T2DM (all P <.05 for trend). This prospective study suggests that ETS exposure increases the risk of T2DM incidence with dose-response relationship in female never smokers. Thus, reducing ETS exposure may help decrease the burden of T2DM in Chinese females.

Patterns, prevalence and determinants of environmental tobacco smoke exposure among adults in Bangladesh

BackgroundExposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been suggested as a risk factor for various health problems. Thus, this study examines the patterns and predictors of ETS exposure among adults at home, workplace and public places. MethodsThe dataset covered a nationally representative sample of 9629 respondents extracted from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Diamond-shaped equiponderant graphs were used to exhibit the prevalence of ETS. In Logistic regressions, ETS exposure at home, workplace and public places were used as response variables. Demographic and socioeconomic variables, health knowledge about ETS, attitude towards ETS, perception of smoking restrictions were considered as predictors. ResultsAdults in higher age groups and females were less exposed to ETS. Better education, high wealth status, better health knowledge on ETS, practice of no smoking at home, and support smoking restrictions were significantly associated with lower ETS exposure at home. Those residing in rural areas and living with many people together were more likely to be exposed to ETS at home. In contrast with home and workplace exposure, adults with higher education, better wealth status, good knowledge on ETS, and support smoking restrictions experienced a high level of exposure at public places. Interestingly, results suggest that those with high levels of ETS exposure at home and workplace had lower exposure to ETS in public places. ConclusionsETS control should not be overlooked in public health policy. Protection from ETS at home is particularly important, given its impact on the attitude towards and awareness about ETS exposure at all places.

Does raising awareness in families reduce environmental tobacco smoke exposure in wheezy children?

IntroductionEnvironmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is thought to increase the severity and number of attacks in wheezy children. Objective assessments are needed to change the behavior of families to reduce the exposure of wheezy children to ETS.AimTo determine whether informing families about their children’s urinary cotinine levels curtailed the exposure of children to ETS.Material and methodsA survey was used to determine the ETS exposure level, and the urinary cotinine level of each patient was tested. Children with positive urinary cotinine levels were included in the second part of the study. The families were randomly divided into two groups: an intervention group that was advised about urinary cotinine levels by telephone and a non-intervention group that was not so advised. The groups were followed-up 2 months later, and urinary cotinine levels were measured once again.ResultsThe intervention group contained 65 children of average age of 24.4 ±8.9 months, of whom 46 (70.8%) were male. The non-intervention group contained 69 children of average age of 25.3 ±9.8 months (p > 0.05), of whom 52 (75.4%) were male. The urinary cotinine levels at the time of the second interview were lower in both groups. The number of cigarettes that fathers smoked at home decreased in the intervention group (p = 0.037).ConclusionsPresenting objective evidence on ETS exposure to families draws attention to their smoking habits. Measurement of cotinine levels is cheap, practical, and noninvasive. Combined with education, creating awareness by measuring cotinine levels may be beneficial.

Synergistic interaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and environmental tobacco smoke on the risk of obesity in children and adolescents: The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2008

BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be obesogens. However, the role of PAHs independent of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is unclear, and the interaction between PAHs and ETS remains unknown. MethodsWe performed cross-sectional analyses of urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) in 1985 people aged 6–18 years using data from the 2003–2008 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ETS exposure level was measured as serum cotinine level. ResultsPAH metabolites were positively associated with BMI and WC in both the ETS-unexposed and ETS-exposed groups. The adjusted odds ratios for general obesity defined by age- and sex-specific BMI≥95th percentile across the quartiles of total PAH metabolites were 1, 4.51, 2.57, and 8.09 (Ptrend=0.003) in the ETS-unexposed group and 1, 2.02, 1.83, and 3.86 (Ptrend<0.001) in the ETS-exposed group. However, the association of PAH metabolites with obesity became stronger as serum cotinine levels increased (Pinteraction<0.05). Among those with high ETS exposure, the adjusted odds ratios for general obesity across quartiles of total PAH metabolites were 1, 2.89, 5.26, and 16.29 (Ptrend<0.001). Compared to the low PAH-exposure group without exposure to ETS, the high ETS- and high PAH-exposure group had 33.85- and 17.64-fold greater risks of general and central obesity, respectively. ConclusionEnvironmental exposure to PAHs may be associated with childhood obesity irrespective of ETS. In particular, simultaneous exposure to PAHs and ETS may substantially increase the risk of obesity.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and diabetes in adult never-smokers.

BackgroundActive smoking has been linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but only few recent studies have shown environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) to be associated with DM in never-smokers. We assessed the association between long term ETS exposure and DM, and explored effect modifications of this association in our sample.MethodsWe analysed 6392 participants of the Swiss study on air pollution and lung and heart diseases in adults (SAPALDIA). We used mixed logistic regression models to assess the cross-sectional association between ETS and DM. Selected variables were tested for effect modification and several sensitivity analyses were performed, mostly treating participants’ study area as a random effect.ResultsThe prevalence of DM and ETS in the sample was 5.5% and 47% respectively. There were 2779 never-smokers with 4% diabetes prevalence. Exposure to ETS increased risk of DM in never-smokers by 50% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 2.26], and we observed a positive dose–response relationship between ETS exposure level and DM in never-smokers. Associations were strengthened (more than three-folds) by older age and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and were stronger in post-menopausal, obese, hypertriglyceridaemic and physically inactive participants. Estimates of association were robust across all sensitivity analyses (including inverse probability weighting for participation bias and fixed-effect analysis for study area). ETS had no substantial associations in current and ex-smokers in our study.ConclusionsWe found a positive association between ETS exposure and DM in never smokers. Additional longitudinal studies involving biomarkers are needed to further explore underlying mechanisms and susceptibilities.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1476-069X-13-74) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Children With Asthma, United States, 2003–2010

ObjectiveGiven widespread interventions to reduce environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and improve asthma control, we sought to assess the current impact of ETS exposure on children with asthma. MethodsWe analyzed 2003–2010 data for nonsmoking children aged 6 to 19 years with asthma from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Outcomes (sleep disturbance, missed school days, health care visits, activity limitation, and wheezing with exercise) were compared between ETS exposed children (serum cotinine levels 0.05 to 10 ng/mL) and unexposed children (<0.05 ng/mL) using ordinal regression adjusted for demographic characteristics. We also assessed whether associations were observable with low ETS exposure levels (0.05 to 1.0 ng/mL). ResultsOverall, 53.3% of children aged 6 to 19 years with asthma were ETS exposed. Age-stratified models showed associations between ETS exposure and most adverse outcomes among 6- to 11-year-olds, but not 12- to 19-year-olds. Even ETS exposure associated with low serum cotinine levels was associated with adverse outcomes for 6- to 11-year-olds. Race-stratified models for children aged 6 to 19 years showed an association between ETS exposure and missing school, health care visits, and activity limitation due to wheezing among non-Hispanic white children, and disturbed sleep among non-Hispanic white and Mexican children. Among non-Hispanic black children, there was no elevated risk between ETS exposure and the assessed outcomes: non-Hispanic black children had high rates of adverse outcomes regardless of ETS exposure. ConclusionsAmong children with asthma 6 to 11 years of age, ETS exposure was associated with most adverse outcomes. Even ETS exposure resulting in low serum cotinine levels was associated with risks for young children with asthma.

The effectiveness of breath carbon monoxide analyzer in screening for environmental tobacco smoke exposure in Saudi pregnant women

BACKGROUND:Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has harmful effects on the pregnancy outcomes similar to those observed in actively smoking pregnant women. The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the breath carbon monoxide (BCO) analysis in the assessment of smoking status among Saudi pregnant women, including ETS exposure compared to self-reported tobacco smoke exposure.METHODS:A cross-sectional design was used during January 2012, 560 pregnant women, irrespective of their gestational age, agreed to undergo BCO testing and completed the data collection sheet for the study. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated to compare the BCO test with self-reported exposure to ETS.RESULTS:Of the study population 151 (27%) women self-reported ETS exposure during the index pregnancy, 409 (73%) self-reported non-exposure. Sensitivity of the test was 32.5% (95% CI; 25.2-40.3%), the Specificity was much higher at 69.2% (95% CI; 64.4-73.5%), the positive predictive value was 28% (95% CI, 21.9-35.1%), and the negative predictive value was 73.5% (95% CI; 68.9-77.7%).CONCLUSION:The BCO test is an ineffective tool to detect the level of ETS exposure among Saudi pregnant women.

Burden of Household Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Medical Expenditure for Japanese Women: A Population-Based Cohort Study

BackgroundThe economic consequences of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) have been simulated using models. We examined the individual-level association between ETS exposure and medical costs among Japanese nonsmoking women.MethodsThis population-based cohort study enrolled women aged 40 to 79 years living in a rural community. ETS exposure in homes at baseline was assessed with a self-administered questionnaire. We then collected health insurance claims data on direct medical expenditures from 1995 through 2007. Using generalized linear models with interaction between ETS exposure level and age stratum, average total monthly expenditure (inpatient plus outpatient care) per capita for nonsmoking women highly exposed and moderately exposed to ETS were compared with expenditures for unexposed women. We performed separate analyses for survivors and nonsurvivors.ResultsWe analyzed data from 4870 women. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, survivors aged 70 to 79 who were highly exposed to ETS incurred higher expenditures than those who were not exposed. We found no significant difference in expenditures between moderately exposed and unexposed women. Total expenditures were not significantly associated with ETS exposure among survivors aged 40 to 69 or nonsurvivors of any age stratum.ConclusionsWe calculated individual-level excess medical expenditures attributable to household exposure to ETS among surviving older women. The findings provide direct evidence of the economic burden of ETS, which is helpful for policymakers who seek to achieve the economically attractive goal of eliminating ETS.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Chinese Schoolchildren's Respiratory Health: A Prospective Cohort Study

Although China is the most coveted cigarette market worldwide, few studies have examined the longitudinal effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on health. To examine the relationship between exposure to ETS and respiratory health in Chinese schoolchildren. The study subjects included 1718 children, who were never-smokers, aged 10.05±0.86 years and asthma-free at baseline. The children performed spirometric tests in 2006 and 18 months later. Parents reported the children's respiratory symptoms and illnesses, ETS exposure, and other related information by self-administered survey at both assessment points. The data were analyzed in 2010. Significant exposure-response relationships were found between ETS exposure and coughing at night (p for trend<0.001); sneezing (p for trend=0.031); and sneezing with itchy, watery eyes (p for trend=0.006) in the first survey, and coughing at night (p for trend=0.019); phlegm without a cold (p for trend<0.001); and sneezing (p for trend=0.036) in the second survey. Compared with those who reported no ETS exposure in either survey, children who had a high ETS exposure level (>5 cigarettes/day) in either survey had lower growth rates in forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF(25-75); β= -0.104, p=0.020) and forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (FEF(25); β= -0.077, p=0.027). A monotonic exposure-response effect was observed between ETS exposure and the deficits in the growth rate of FEF(25) and FEF(25-75.) Exposure to ETS increased the risks of respiratory symptoms in Chinese school-aged children and was associated with impaired lung function growth. A dose-response relationship was observed for the latter effect.

White blood cell DNA adducts in a cohort of asthmatic children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke

PurposeExposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) leads to molecular damage in the form of DNA adducts. While lung cancer risk is higher among African Americans compared to White Americans, a few studies have tested for racial differences in DNA adducts among children exposed to ETS. The purpose of this study was to test whether African American children have higher DNA adducts levels compared to White children adjusted for ETS exposure.MethodsData and biologic specimens were drawn from an existing cohort of 212 asthmatic children. These subjects participated in a 12-month ETS-reduction trial that employed HEPA air cleaners with active filter cartridges and sham filter cartridges. White blood cell (WBC) DNA was analyzed for DNA adducts using 32P-postlabeling. We assessed ETS exposure using a validated air nicotine dosimeter. We determined the independent relationship between African American race and DNA adduct levels adjusted for ETS exposure and air cleaner use.ResultsThe mean age of the subjects was 8.4 years; 55% were African American. There was no difference in DNA adduct levels between African American and White children (11.8 vs. 11.2 adducts per 109 nucleotides, p = 0.86), despite slightly higher levels of air nicotine exposure (3.4 vs. 2.2 μg/m3, p = 0.14). African American children used their air cleaners less often than White children. We found that the best predictor of DNA adduct levels was the duration of air cleaner use (r = −0.133, p = 0.056). This association was independent of cartridge type.ConclusionsWe did not see differences in adduct levels by race even after accounting for the level of ETS exposure. However, there was a marginal inverse association between air cleaner use and adducts. Additional research is required to understand this phenomenon.

Evaluation of the Immediate Impact of the Washington, D.C., Smoke-Free Indoor Air Policy on Bar Employee Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure

On January 2, 2007, thw Washington, D. C., City Council banned smoking in restaurants and bars. We sought to determine the immediate impact of the ban on cotinine-confirmed environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) levels and respiratory symptom reports of a random sample of bar employees. We conducted an assessment of 66 employees from 41 randomly selected bars in December 2006, a month before the ban went into effect. After analyses of baseline data, 52 employees were eligible and 49 of them (94%) had a post-ban assessment in February 2007. Three participants were excluded due to high cotinine levels at the post-ban assessment, yielding a final sample size of 46 bar employees. ETS exposure levels were documented using saliva cotinine analyses by tandem liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Employee respiratory and sensory symptoms reports were assessed by a standardized, validated form: the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Bronchial Symptoms Questionnaire. Employee ETS exposure reports at work were eliminated after the ban. Sensory symptoms reports (at < or = 4 weeks) declined significantly by 70% to 100% (p = 0.0016); respiratory symptoms results were inconclusive due to a lack of data. Saliva cotinine medians declined significantly by 70% (p < 0.0001), from a pre-ban mean of 2.11 nanograms per millileter (ng/mL) to a post-ban mean of 0.29 ng/mL, confirming reports of no ETS exposure at work. We concluded that the indoor air law was effective, eliminating employee ETS exposure reports, dramatically reducing their cotinine levels, and almost eliminating reports of sensory symptoms.

Effects of environmental tobacco smoke in vivo on rhesus monkey semen quality, sperm function, and sperm metabolism

The objective of this study was to use a non-human primate model to examine the effect of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in vivo on semen quality, sperm function, and sperm metabolism. Four adult rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta) were exposed to ETS for six months, and semen samples were collected every week for evaluation. ETS exposure in vivo did not affect semen quality and sperm function. The sperm X:Y chromosome ratio remained unchanged after ETS exposure. The sex ratio of the embryos fertilized by ETS-exposed males was not different from the control male. However, sperm showed changes in metabolome detected by NMR during the ETS exposure. We concluded that with the duration and level of ETS exposure in this study, semen quality and sperm function were not affected, whereas sperm did undergo metabolic changes with ETS exposure in vivo.

Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke at Work, at Home, and During Leisure Time: Personal Exposure Measurements by Diffusive Sampling of Airborne 3-Ethenylpyridine

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with an increased risk of several diseases. In 2002, the ETS exposure level was studied in a Finnish cross-sectional population sample with a sub-sample of currently working nonsmokers. In all, 123 nonsmokers (25—64 years) reporting at least 1 h of daily exposure to ETS participated in personal exposure measurements. Two 3 M organic vapor monitors, one for work and one for free time, were given to each participant. A 5-day sampling of breathing zone air was based on the passive monitoring of 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP), a vapor-phase compound specific to tobacco smoke. The 3-EP concentrations ranged from &lt;0.01 to 30 μg·m-3 (n=221), with low exposures as the most frequent. More than half (55%) of the study group was exposed both at work and during free time. The geometric mean concentration for 3-EP at home and during leisure time was 0.07 μg·m-3 (mean sampling time 74 h) and during working hours 0.30 μg·m-3 (mean sampling time 32 h). The study showed that despite the restrictions concerning indoor smoking at work, the ETS exposure seemed to be higher at work than at home or during leisure time. The average exposure levels were similar for men and women.

Active smoking among asthmatic youth?How concerned we need to be

There is no doubt that tobacco smoking, whether active or passive, has a harmful effect on health of all individuals. Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and if exposed have higher incidence of lower respiratory tract illnesses in their early years (Cook and Strachan 1999). Furthermore, it has been suggested that the high levels of ETS exposure during childhood may increase the risk of chronic obstructive respiratory disease in adulthood.

The Role of Air Nicotine in Explaining Racial Differences in Cotinine Among Tobacco-Exposed Children

Objective:African-American children have higher rates of tobacco-associated morbidity. Few studies have objectively measured racial differences in the exposure of children to tobacco smoke. The objective of this study was to test whether African-American children have higher levels of cotinine compared to white children while accounting for ambient measures of tobacco smoke.Setting:Community-based sample of asthmatic children (n = 220) enrolled in an environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) reduction trial.Participants:A biracial sample (55% African American) of children with asthma aged 5 to 12 years who were routinely exposed to ETS.Measurements:We measured cotinine levels in serum and hair samples at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. We measured the level of ETS exposure over a 6-month period by placing air nicotine dosimeters in the homes of the children at baseline and at 6-month study visits.Results:African-American children had significantly higher levels of cotinine at all time points in the study. At the 12-month visit, African-American children had higher levels of serum cotinine (1.39 μg/dL vs 0.80 μg/dL, p = 0.001) and hair cotinine (0.28 ng/mg vs 0.08 ng/mg, p < 0.0001) when compared with white children. In a repeated-measures analysis, African-American children had significantly higher levels of serum cotinine (β = 0.28, p = 0.04) and hair cotinine (β = 1.40, p < 0.0001) compared with white children. Air nicotine levels and housing volume were independently associated with higher levels of cotinine.Conclusions:Among children with asthma, African-American children have higher levels of serum and hair cotinine compared with white children.