Nicotine Dust Research Articles

Contamination of surfaces in children's homes with nicotine and the potent carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK.

Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) through secondhand and thirdhand smoke is a modifiable risk factor that contributes to childhood morbidity. Limited research has assessed surface TSE pollution in children's environments as a potential source of thirdhand smoke exposure, and none have examined levels of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) on surfaces. This study measured surface NNK and nicotine in children's homes and associations with sociodemographics and parent-reported TSE behaviors. We assessed correlations of surface NNK and nicotine with dust NNK, dust nicotine, and child cotinine. Home surface wipe NNK and nicotine data from 84 children who lived with smokers were analyzed. Tobit and simple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess associations of surface NNK and nicotine with child characteristics. Spearman's (ρ) correlations assessed the strength of associations between environmental markers and child cotinine. Nearly half (48.8%) of children's home surfaces had detectable NNK and 100% had detectable nicotine. The respective geometric means (GMs) of surface NNK and nicotine loadings were 14.0 ng/m2 and 16.4 µg/m2. Surface NNK positively correlated with surface nicotine (ρ = 0.54, p < 0.001) and dust NNK (ρ = 0.30, p = 0.020). Surface nicotine positively correlated with dust NNK (ρ = 0.42, p < 0.001) and dust nicotine (ρ = 0.24, p = 0.041). Children with household incomes ≤$15,000 had higher surface NNK levels (GM = 18.7 ng/m2, p = 0.017) compared to children with household incomes >$15,000 (GM = 7.1 ng/m2). Children with no home smoking bans had higher surface NNK (GM = 18.1 ng/m2, p = 0.020) and surface nicotine (GM = 17.7 µg/m2, p = 0.019) levels compared to children with smoking bans (GM = 7.5 ng/m2, 4.8 µg/m2, respectively). Although nicotine on surfaces is an established marker of thirdhand smoke pollution, other thirdhand smoke contaminants have not been measured on surfaces in the homes of children living with smokers. We provide evidence that the potent carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK was detectable on surfaces in nearly half of children's homes, and nicotine was detectable on all surfaces. Surface NNK was positively correlated with surface nicotine and dust NNK. Detectable surface NNK levels were found in homes with indoor smoking bans, indicating the role of NNK as a persistent thirdhand smoke pollutant accumulating on surfaces as well as in dust.

Profiles of primary aromatic amines, nicotine, and cotinine in indoor dust and associated human exposure in China

Despite the widespread use of primary aromatic amines (AAs) in consumer products, little is known about their prevalence in house dust. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of 35 AAs and two tobacco chemical markers (nicotine and its breakdown product cotinine) in 119 samples of house dust collected from five provinces in China. Ten of the 35 AAs and [nicotine and cotinine] were found in >80% and 100% of the samples, respectively, at concentration ranges of 29.1–19,200 (median: 700 ng/g) and 23.2–22,400 (4600) ng/g, respectively. Aniline was the predominant AA found in all dust samples (median: 257 ng/g). Dust samples from Henan and Shanxi provinces contained higher summed concentrations of the 10 AAs than those from Sichuan and Shandong, although the concentrations did not vary significantly among the five provinces (p > 0.05). A significant (p = 0.048), positive correlation (r = 0.882) existed between concentrations of nicotine and cotinine in dust samples. Similarly, concentrations of AAs were significantly correlated with those of nicotine in dust samples. Dyestuffs, rubber products, polyurethane foam and tobacco smoke are the major sources of AAs in the indoor environment. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) through dust ingestion ranged from 0.349 (adults) to 6.62 ng/kg-bw/day (toddlers) for AAs and from 1.27 to 51.1 ng/kg-bw/day for nicotine which are well below the current tolerable daily intakes.

Remediating Thirdhand Smoke Pollution in Multiunit Housing: Temporary Reductions and the Challenges of Persistent Reservoirs.

Toxic tobacco smoke residue, also known as thirdhand smoke (THS), can persist in indoor environments long after tobacco has been smoked. This study examined the effects of different cleaning methods on nicotine in dust and on surfaces. Participants had strict indoor home smoking bans and were randomly assigned to: dry/damp cleaning followed by wet cleaning 1 month later (N = 10), wet cleaning followed by dry/damp cleaning (N = 10) 1 month later, and dry/damp and wet cleaning applied the same day (N = 28). Nicotine on surfaces and in dust served as markers of THS and were measured before, immediately after, and 3 months after the cleaning, using liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Over a 4-month period prior to cleaning, surface nicotine levels remained unchanged (GeoMean change: -11% to +8%; repeated measures r = .94; p < .001). Used separately, dry/damp and wet cleaning methods showed limited benefits. When applied in combination, however, we observed significantly reduced nicotine on surfaces and in dust. Compared with baseline, GeoMean surface nicotine was 43% lower immediately after (z = -3.73, p < .001) and 53% lower 3 months later (z = -3.96, p < .001). GeoMean dust nicotine loading declined by 60% immediately after (z = -3.55, p < .001) and then increased 3 months later to precleaning levels (z = -1.18, p = .237). Cleaning interventions reduced but did not permanently remove nicotine in dust and on surfaces. Cleaning efforts for THS need to address persistent pollutant reservoirs and replenishment of reservoirs from new tobacco smoke intrusion. THS contamination in low-income homes may contribute to health disparities, particularly in children. Administered sequentially or simultaneously, the tested cleaning protocols reduced nicotine on surfaces by ~50% immediately after and 3 months after the cleaning. Nicotine dust loading was reduced by ~60% immediately after cleaning, but it then rebounded to precleaning levels 3 months later. Cleaning protocols were unable to completely remove THS, and pollutants in dust were replenished from remaining pollutant reservoirs or new secondhand smoke intrusion. To achieve better outcomes, cleaning protocols should be systematically repeated to remove newly accumulated pollutants. New secondhand smoke intrusions need to be prevented, and remaining THS reservoirs should be identified, cleaned, or removed to prevent pollutants from these reservoirs to accumulate in dust and on surfaces.

Nicotine in thirdhand smoke residue predicts relapse from smoking cessation: A pilot study

IntroductionThirdhand smoke (THS) residue lingers for months in homes of former smokers and may play a role in relapse after smoking cessation. This study examined the association between THS pollution as measured by the level of nicotine in house dust and continued abstinence from smoking. MethodsParticipants were 65 cigarette smokers who reported they were enrolled in any type of smoking cessation program, had set a specific date to quit, and had biochemical verification of continuous abstinence at 1-week (W1), 1-month (M1), 3-months (M3), or 6-months (M6) after their quit date. House dust samples collected at baseline before quitting were analyzed for nicotine concentration (μg/g) and nicotine loading (μg/m2) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). ResultsControlling for age, gender, overall and indoor smoking rates, and years lived in their home, dust nicotine concentration and loading predicted abstinence at W1, M1, M3, and M6. A 10-fold increase in dust nicotine loading and concentration were associated with approximately 50% lower odds of remaining abstinent. ConclusionsFindings suggest nicotine in house dust may play a role in facilitating relapse after smoking cessation. Additional research is warranted to investigate the causal role of THS residue in homes of former smokers on cravings and continued abstinence.

When smokers quit: exposure to nicotine and carcinogens persists from thirdhand smoke pollution

BackgroundOver a 6-month period, we examined tobacco smoke pollutants (also known as thirdhand smoke, THS) that remained in the homes of former smokers and the exposure to these pollutants.Methods90 smokers...

House Dust Nicotine Levels, Smoking History and Asthma Indicators

Tobacco smoke is a known asthma trigger. Exposure to tobacco smoke is usually determined by history. To examine the relationship of nicotine in house dust with smoke exposure history and asthma indicators we conducted the following.

Protective Role of Raw-Turmeric Rhizomes Against Nicotine-Induced Complications of Beedi (Indian Cigarette) Workers

Introduction: The unscientific process of beedi (Indian smoking element) production under constant exposure of nicotine dust in India induces serious health disorders to the workers. Beedi produces more tar in smoke than cigarette due to lack of any filtering process. Sometimes active consumption of beedi and other tobacco products makes the users more vulnerable to cancer, respiratory diseases and cardiovascular disorders etc. Objective: The present study was designed to observe the protective effects of raw turmeric rhizomes on health conditions of the beedi workers who were exposed to nicotine dust for 8-10 hours daily for a long duration. Methods: General health checkup, blood glucose levels, lipid profiles and the hemogram profiles etc. of the workers from two beedi factories (Canning of South 24 Parganas District and Bankura of Bankura District, both in West Bengal, India) were conducted before and after the consumption of laboratory processed raw turmeric rhizomes (80 mg/kg body weight/day by chewing) for 8 weeks. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from all the workers before and after the completion of the study and analyzed for estimation of different parameters. Results: The results showed significant improvement in the general health conditions of the factory workers who consumed raw-turmeric rhizomes. Significant improvement of blood pressure, blood glucose levels and lipid profiles and also improvement of creatinine, serum protein and SGOT/SGPT levels of the treated volunteers were noted. The results also showed improvement in the enzymes levels of SOD, GSH and GPX in the serum of rhizomes consumed workers. Conclusion: It is concluded that turmeric rhizomes are effective in the amelioration of nicotine-induced complications. It would be a better therapeutic supplement for the improvement of health for the workers who are compelled to work under nicotinic dust environment for a long time.

Levels of nicotine in dust from homes of smokeless tobacco users.

Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco or moist snuff, contain many of the same constituents as tobacco smoke and are also known to cause cancer; however, little attention has been paid to indirect exposure of children to tobacco constituents via parental smokeless tobacco use. As part of the California Childhood Leukemia Study, we collected dust samples from 6 residences occupied by smokeless tobacco users, 6 residences occupied by active smokers, and 20 tobacco-free residences. Children's potential for exposure to tobacco constituents was assessed using nicotine concentrations in vacuum dust measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Median nicotine concentrations for residences with smokeless tobacco users were significantly greater than median nicotine concentrations for tobacco-free homes and similar to median nicotine concentrations in homes of active smokers. Using generalized estimating equations derived from a multivariable marginal model to adjust for a history of parental smoking, income, residence construction date, and mother's age and race/ethnicity, we found nicotine levels from homes of smokeless tobacco users to be 21-fold higher than nicotine levels from tobacco-free homes. Based on mass balance equations, we hypothesize that nicotine is transferred to floors in homes of smokeless tobacco users primarily as a constituent of tobacco that is spilled or expectorated. Based on our findings, we conclude that children living with smokeless tobacco users may be exposed to nicotine and other constituents of tobacco via contact with contaminated dust and household surfaces.

Wipe Sampling for Nicotine as a Marker of Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke Contamination on Surfaces in Homes, Cars, and Hotels

Secondhand smoke contains a mixture of pollutants that can persist in air, dust, and on surfaces for months or longer. This persistent residue is known as thirdhand smoke (THS). Here, we detail a simple method of wipe sampling for nicotine as a marker of accumulated THS on surfaces. We analyzed findings from 5 real-world studies to investigate the performance of wipe sampling for nicotine on surfaces in homes, cars, and hotels in relation to smoking behavior and smoking restrictions. The intraclass correlation coefficient for side-by-side samples was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.94). Wipe sampling for nicotine reliably distinguished between private homes, private cars, rental cars, and hotels with and without smoking bans and was significantly positively correlated with other measures of tobacco smoke contamination such as air and dust nicotine. The sensitivity and specificity of possible threshold values (0.1, 1, and 10 μg/m(2)) were evaluated for distinguishing between nonsmoking and smoking environments. Sensitivity was highest at a threshold of 0.1 μg/m(2), with 74%-100% of smoker environments showing nicotine levels above threshold. Specificity was highest at a threshold of 10 μg/m(2), with 81%-100% of nonsmoker environments showing nicotine levels below threshold. The optimal threshold will depend on the desired balance of sensitivity and specificity and on the types of smoking and nonsmoking environments. Surface wipe sampling for nicotine is a reliable, valid, and relatively simple collection method to quantify THS contamination on surfaces across a wide range of field settings and to distinguish between nonsmoking and smoking environments.

Towards smoke-free rental cars: an evaluation of voluntary smoking restrictions in California

IntroductionSome car rental companies in California and other states in the USA have established non-smoking policies for their vehicles. This study examined the effectiveness of these policies in maintaining smoke-free...

Is House-Dust Nicotine a Good Surrogate for Household Smoking?

The literature is inconsistent regarding associations between parental smoking and childhood leukemia, possibly because previous studies used self-reported smoking habits as surrogates for children's true exposures to cigarette smoke. Here, the authors investigated the use of nicotine concentrations in house dust as measures of children's exposure to cigarette smoke in 469 households from the Northern California Childhood Leukemia Study (1999-2007). House dust was collected by using high-volume surface samplers and household vacuum cleaners and was analyzed for nicotine via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Using multivariable linear regression, the authors evaluated the effects of self-reported parental smoking, parental demographics, house characteristics, and other covariates on house-dust nicotine concentrations. They observed that nicotine concentrations in house dust were associated with self-reported smoking for periods of months and years before dust collection. Furthermore, the authors found that the relation between nicotine dust levels and self-reported smoking varied by parental age and socioeconomic status. These findings suggest that house-dust nicotine concentrations reflect long-term exposures to cigarette smoke in the home and that they may be less biased surrogates for children's exposures to cigarette smoke than self-reported smoking habits.

Measurement of nicotine in household dust

An analytical method of measuring nicotine in house dust was optimized and associations among three secondhand smoking exposure markers were evaluated, i.e., nicotine concentrations of both house dust and indoor air, and the self-reported number of cigarettes smoked daily in a household. We obtained seven house dust samples from self-reported nonsmoking homes and 30 samples from smoking homes along with the information on indoor air nicotine concentrations and the number of cigarettes smoked daily from an asthma cohort study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment. House dust nicotine was analyzed by isotope dilution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Using our optimized method, the median concentration of nicotine in the dust of self-reported nonsmoking homes was 11.7 ng/mg while that of smoking homes was 43.4 ng/mg. We found a substantially positive association ( r=0.67, P<0.0001) between house dust nicotine concentrations and the numbers of cigarettes smoked daily. Optimized analytical methods showed a feasibility to detect nicotine in house dust. Our results indicated that the measurement of nicotine in house dust can be used potentially as a marker of longer term SHS exposure.

Cadmium and Lead Levels in House Dust from Smokers' and Non-Smokers' Homes Related to Nicotine Levels

In children there is an association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and blood lead levels. One possible explanation is a contamination of house dust by cigarette ash and smoke, since several studies have shown that house dust is a source of lead exposure. Thus, house dust samples from the vacuum cleaner sacks from 72 homes in the city of Copenhagen were ana lysed for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The lead concentration was higher in fine than in coarse fraction (medians 190 vs. 140 μg/g; p = 0.0001). For cad mium the median concentrations were 5.0 μg/g in both fractions. No statisti cally significant association was found between the smoking habits, the socio- economic status of the residents, the presence of wall-to-wall carpets, or dust nicotine levels, on the one hand, and the metal levels in the house dust, on the other. Thus, tobacco is not an important source of contamination of house dust with lead and cadmium. However, high levels found in some samples indicate that house dust may be a significant source of lead and cadmium exposure, in some small children.

The Value of DDT for the Control of the Common Chicken Louse

THE sensational results obtained by military authorities in the use of DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) for the control of the human louse led the writer to investigate its value in the control of the chicken body louse (Eomenacanthus stramineus). The reported persistency of the killing power of this new chemical gave promise of its being superior to the commonly used sodium fluoride.The only published results regarding the use of DDT for the control of chicken lice were issued by Telford (1944) in which he compared the efficacy of DDT, sodium fluoride and nicotine dust. From observations, continued a maximum of 52 hours after treatment, he concluded that DDT was as effective as sodium fluoride against the common body louse and shaft louse of the chicken.During the summer and fall of 194422G. W. Adams assisted in collecting some of the data reported in this paper. birds heavily infested with the chicken body louse, Eomenacanthus stramineus, and to a less extent the shaft louse, Menopon .

Effects of Nicotine Dust on the Melon Aphis and Its Natural Enemies

Effects of Nicotine Dust on the Melon Aphis and Its Natural Enemies

Bionomics and Control of the Indian Sugar-cane Leaf-hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla, Wlk. (Rhynchota, Fulg.) in the Punjab

Pyrilla perpusilla, Wlk., is one of the most destructive sugar-cane pests in the Punjab. It is widely distributed and, in addition to sugar-cane, it also feeds on wheat, barley, oats, maize, “chari” and a number of grasses.Descriptions of the egg, nymphal and adult stages are given.A female can lay 773 eggs in its life-time. The eggs are laid in clusters on the food-plants and are covered with whitish fluffy material. The egg stage occupies 7–12 days during April–October and 20–41 days during November–March. There are five nymphal instars. The nymphal stage occupies 24–65 days during April–September and 78–208 days during October–March.Both adults and nymphs do damage. They prefer to feed on those varieties of sugar-cane which have broad, fleshy and succulent leaves and thick, soft stems. As a result of their feeding sucrose is reduced by as much as 34·2 per cent., while the glucose ratio may be trebled.The pest is parasitised by the following insects:—Ooencyrtus papilionis, Ashm., Tetrastichus pyrillae, Craw., and Lestrodryinus pyrillae, Kieff. (Hymenoptera); and Pyrilloxenos compactus, Pierce (Stylopidae). The following are predacious upon it: Brumus suturalis, F., Chilomenes sexmaculatus, F., Coccinella septempunctata, L., and C. undecimpunctata, L. (Col.), and Epipyrops sp. (Lep.). The incidence and duration of the life-cycles of these parasites and predators are given.To control the pest the following measures are suggested:—(1) Destruction of the adults by hand nets during April; (2) destruction of the eggs by crushing during April; (3) destruction of the nymphs by a new hopperdozer during November–March; (4) dusting with nicotine dust or spraying with nicotine sulphate-fish oil soap mixture.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORY AND CONTROL OF THE CABBAGE APHIS, BRE VICORYNE BBASSICAE L.

SUMMARY A study has been made ofthe life history of Brevicoryne brassicael. in the market‐garden areas of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire from November 1933 to October 1935. There was a variation in the behaviour of this pest in the two years. In 1934 the aphis over‐wintered only as eggs on cultivated cruciferous crops (and particularly Brussels sprouts), whereas observations strongly suggest that in 1935 it over‐wintered both as viviparous females and eggs. The hatching of the eggs was much later in 1934 than in 1935, but the first winged forms were produced at about the same date. Predators and parasites were fairly abundant but not sufficiently so as to prevent serious damage. It is suggested that control measures should aim at preventing the aphides from passing from old plants to newly planted ones. Nicotine sprays or nicotine dusts are suitable for this purpose. The pest is difficult to control on ordinary field crops.

Greenhouse and Field Tests for the Control of the Gladiolus Thrips) (Taeniothrips GladioliM. &amp; S.)

The gladiolus thrips probably does not pass the winter in the fields in large numbers in New Jersey. The destruction of waste corms, volunteer plants and other rubbish in and surrounding the field is advisable. The destruction of the thrips on corms in storage may be accomplished by a number of methods such as dipping in mercury compounds, nicotine solutions, fumigating with naphthalene, nicotine dust, pyrethrum dust, calcium cyanide and other materials. In controlling the thrips on the foliage it is necessary to start early, and spray frequently. Dusts containing pyrethrins or rotenone, applied either as dusts or as wet sprays, were more effective than liquid sprays containing either pyrethrins or rotenone. The brown sugar, Paris green and water spray is said to be very effective and considerably cheaper than many other sprays.

Spra Ying and Dusting Experiments for the Control of Leafhoppers Infesting Dahlias and Asters1

Tests during the summer of 1930 with pyrethrum sprays and dusts, nicotine sprays and dusts, white oil sprays of four viscosities, these same four white oils impregnated with copper oleate, a sulfonated oxidized oil and Bordeaux sprays showed that all the sprays were effective in killing leafhoppers on asters and dahlias except the Bordeaux sprays, that the Bordeaux sprays and the pyrethrum dusts were the only materials tested which acted as repellents to the leafhoppers, and that all the sprays were safe upon the plants with repeated applications except the white oil sprays which, when used alone and impregnated with copper oleate, caused burning to the foliage of asters. Tests conducted during the summer of 1931 with pyrethrum sprays and dusts and Bordeaux sprays showed that heavy applications of Bordeaux sprays or of a pyrethrum dust applied dry or as a wet wash were effective in repelling the green apple leafhopper ( Empoasca mali ) for a period of four to five days. Nicotine dusts were of only slight value in repelling the leafhoppers. Six foot cheesecloth cages constructed around groups of plants supplemented with an occasional dusting with pyrethrum gave the best control of leafhoppers. The leafhopper population in the treated plots was reduced to zero at each treatment but was built up almost to that of check plots within five days due to migration of the leafhoppers from outside sources.

The Bud Moth in Western New York

The eye-spotted bud moth, Spilonota ocellana Schiff., has appeared in western New York as a major apple pest. In 1928 trees were defoliated early in the season and over 50 per cent of the fruit injured in a number of instances. Summer spraying reduced the injury but left an excess of arsenical residue on the fruit. Moths were killed with nicotine dust, and caught in bait and light traps. Parasites were not important.