Non-smoking Office Research Articles

Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene Levels among Office Workers Living in Industrial Areas

We examined exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among non-smoking office workers in 2 countries living in the vicinity of a coke-oven factory by measuring their levels of urinary 1-OHP, a known metabolite of PAHs. Subjects included 10 non-smoking office workers in Kitakyushu city (Japan) and 20 workers in Thai Nguyen city (Vietnam). Measurement was optimized by using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method developed by Jongeneelen et al. This method required only a small amount of urine and had a short incubation time, and its detection limit was very low (0.00448 ng/ml), which was practical and highly sensitive.The median urinary 1-OHP concentration in the Vietnamese subjects (0.417 ng/mg creatinine) was six times as high as that in the Japanese subjects (0.069 ng/mg creatinine) (P < 0.001). However, both concentrations were significantly below the guideline level, below which there is no genotoxic effect, implying a low probability of any adverse health effects.Our measurements from both countries showed higher urinary 1-OHP concentrations than in previous studies from locations without factories, indicating that ambient air pollution from industrial emissions is an important source of PAH exposure. Finally, the urinary 1-OHP concentrations did not correlate with gender or lifestyle factors.

Urinary 1‐Hydroxypyrene Level Relative to Vehicle Exhaust Exposure Mediated by Metabolic Enzyme Polymorphisms

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are common air pollutants generated from incomplete combustion. The inhalation of exhaust fumes in urban areas has been suggested to be an additional contributing factor. This study investigated the influence of urban traffic exposure, personal lifestyle factors and metabolic enzyme polymorphisms on the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) level, approximating exposure to PAH. With consents, 95 male taxi drivers exposed to vehicle exhaust in traffic and 75 male office employees received health interviews and provided urine samples. The results showed taxi drivers had higher urinary 1-OHP than the office employees (mean +/- standard deviation were 0.17 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.10 +/- 0.07 mol/mol creatinine, p<0.001). The average urinary 1-OHP level increased from 0.07 micromol/mol creatinine for non-smoking office employees to 0.17 micromol/mol creatinine for those who smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily. The values for taxi drivers with similar smoking statuses were 0.12 and 0.25 micromol/mol creatinine, respectively. Among non-smokers, taxi drivers still had higher 1-OHP level than office employees (0.12 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.07 +/- 0.03 micromol/mol creatinine). The subjects with the m1/m2 or m2/m2 genotype of CYP1A1 MspI or GSTM1 deficiency had significantly higher urinary 1-OHP levels than those with other CYP1A1 MspI and GSTM1 genotypes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that taxi drivers (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=5.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1-13.6), smokers (OR=5.5, 95% CI=1.6-18.4) and subjects with the m1/m2 or m2/m2 genotype of CYP1A1 MspI (OR=9.7, 95% CI=2.7-35.0) had elevated urinary 1-OHP (greater than the overall median value, 0.11 micromol/mol creatinine). The results of this study suggest smoking contributes to the elevated urinary 1-OHP levels in taxi drivers in addition to taxi driving, and the excess level contributed from traffic exhaust and smoke was regulated by the CYP1A1 MspI genotype. Traffic exhaust exposure, smoking and CYP1A1 MspI genotype contributed to the variation in levels of urinary 1-OHP excretion.

Oxidative DNA damage estimated by urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and indoor air pollution among non-smoking office employees

This study investigated whether urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of oxidative stress, was associated with indoor air quality for non-smokers in high-rise building offices. With informed consents, urine samples from 344 non-smoking employees in 86 offices were collected to determine 8-OHdG concentrations. The concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) in each office and outside of the building were simultaneously measured for eight office hours. The average workday difference between indoor and outdoor CO 2 concentrations (dCO 2) was used as a surrogate measure of the ventilation efficiency for each office unit. The CO 2 levels in the offices ranged 467–2810 ppm with a mean of 1170 ppm, or 2.7 times higher than that in the outside air. The average urinary 8-OHdG levels among employees increased from 3.10 μg/g creatinine, for those at the lowest tertile levels of both dCO 2 and TVOCs, to 6.27 μg/g creatinine, for those at the highest tertile levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of having the urinary 8-OHdG level of greater than the median, 4.53 μg/g creatinine, for participants was increased significantly at the highest tertile dCO 2 level of >680 ppm (odds ratio (OR)=3.37, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.20–9.46). The effect was significant at the middle tertile TVOCs level of 114–360 ppb (OR=2.62, 95% CI=1.43–4.79), but not at the highest tertile. Inadequate ventilation in office increases the risk of building-related oxidative stress in non-smoking employees.

Levels of Indoor VOCs in Workplaces in a Polluted Urban Area of London

To date there have been few published investigations on the levels of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in workplaces in polluted urban areas in the UK. The present investigation was carried out in a non-smoking and naturally-ventilated office building situated along one of the most polluted roads in London in conjunction with the Dispersion of Air Pollutants and their Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) 2003 field campaign. The results from the measurements taken for indoor VOCs in offices where smoking was prohibited are reported. The concentrations of hexanal, m-, p-xylene, styrene, toluene and total VOCs (TVOCs) are presented and discussed. Other VOCs, in addition to those primarily selected for analysis, were also recorded.

Sensory pollution loads in six office buildings and a department store

Sensory pollution loads were measured in six non-smoking office buildings with mechanical ventilation without recirculation, and in a non-smoking department store with an air-conditioning system and recirculation. Untrained panels assessed the air quality on normal weekdays with occupants in the buildings, and in the case of office buildings, also on weekends without occupants present. On both occasions the ventilation system was in operation as on a normal working day. Outdoor airflow rate, air temperature, relative humidity and concentration of carbon dioxide were measured. The sensory pollution load from the building (without occupants) was found in offices to be 0.11 ± 0.09 olf/m 2 floor, which agrees well with the load recommended for low-polluting buildings in CEN CR 1752. This load is only half of the sensory pollution load found in previous investigations in offices and assembly halls where smoking was allowed. The load from building and merchandise in the department store was 0.15 olf/m 2 floor. A table is provided listing the mean sensory pollution load of the buildings measured in the present and in previous studies carried out in the period from 1988 to 2001 in different types of buildings in Europe. The table covers 120 buildings including offices and assembly halls (with and without previous smoking), schools, kindergartens and a department store.

Fine Particles (PM1) in Four Different Indoor Environments

Measurements of urban indoor fine particle <1 µm (PM₁) mass concentrations were carried out in a lecture room, restaurant and two types of office. Twenty-four-hour concentrations of PM₁ were sampled from April to July 2000 by low-volume Harvard impactors. The 24-hour concentrations were in the range from 7.69 to 214.62 µg·m^–3. The lowest average concentration was found in a non-smoking office (11.77 µg·m^–3, range 7.69–17.27 µg·m^–3), the highest concentration in a restaurant (169.09 µg·m^–3, range 131.91–214.62 µg·m^–3). In the lecturing room (average 17.98 µg·m^–3, range 11.91– 24.59 µg·m^–3), the particle concentrations corresponded to the number of people present during the day. In the offices, noticeable differences were found between working days and weekends or days when staff were not present. A strong influence of smoking on the concentrations of small particles was confirmed for the restaurant.

Fine Particles (PM1) in Four Different Indoor Environments

Measurements of urban indoor fine particle &lt;1 μm (PM1) mass concentrations were carried out in a lecture room, restaurant and two types of office. Twenty-four-hour concentrations of PM1 were sampled from April to July 2000 by low-volume Harvard impactors. The 24-hour concentrations were in the range from 7.69 to 214.62 μg.m-3. The lowest average concentration was found in a non-smoking office (11.77 μg.m-3, range 7.69-17.27 μg.m-3), the highest concentration in a restaurant (169.09 μg.m -3, range 131.91-214.62 μg.m-3). In the lecturing room (average 17.98 μg.m-3, range 11.91- 24.59 μg.m-3), the particle concentrations corresponded to the number of people present during the day. In the offices, noticeable differences were found between working days and weekends or days when staff were not present. A strong influence of smoking on the concentra tions of small particles was confirmed for the restau rant.

Characterization of particulate emissions from occupant activities in offices.

This paper characterizes the relationship between occupant activities and indoor air particulate levels in a non-smoking office building. Occupant activities were recorded on video. Particulate concentrations were monitored by three optical particle counters (OPCs) in five size ranges at three heights. Particulate mass concentrations were measured gravimetrically and bioaerosol concentrations were determined by impaction methods. Occupant activities and number concentrations were determined with 1-min resolution over a 1-week period. Occupant activities such as walking past or visiting the monitoring site explained 24-55% of the variation of 1- to 25-micron diameter particle number concentrations. Statistical models associating particulate concentrations with occupant activities depended on the size fraction and included an autocorrelative term. Occupant activities are estimated to contribute up to 10 micrograms m-3 in particulate concentrations per person. Number concentrations of particles smaller than 1 micron had little correlation with indoor activities other than cigarette smoking and were highly correlated with outdoor levels. The method can be used to characterize emissions from activities if rapid measurements can be made and if activities can be coded from the video record.

Environmental exposure to volatile organic compounds among workers in Mexico City as assessed by personal monitors and blood concentrations.

Benzene, an important component in gasoline, is a widely distributed environmental contaminant that has been linked to known health effects in animals and humans, including leukemia. In Mexico City, environmental benzene levels, which may be elevated because of the heavy traffic and the poor emission control devices of older vehicles, may pose a health risk to the population. To assess the potential risk, portable passive monitors and blood concentrations were used to survey three different occupational groups in Mexico City. Passive monitors measured the personal exposure of 45 workers to benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, o-xylene and m-/p-xylene during a work shift. Blood concentrations of the above volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methyl tert-butyl ether, and styrene were measured at the beginning and the end of a work shift. Passive monitors showed significantly higher (p > 0.0001) benzene exposure levels among service station attendants (median = 330 microg/m3; range 130-770) as compared to street vendors (median = 62 microg/m3; range 49-180) and office workers (median = 44 microg/m3, range 32-67). Baseline blood benzene levels (BBLs) for these groups were higher than those reported for similar populations from Western countries (median = 0.63 microg/L, n = 24 for service station attendants; median = 0.30 microg/L, n = 6 for street vendors; and median = 0.17 microgr;g/L, n = 7 for office workers). Nonsmoking office workers who were nonoccupationally exposed to VOCs had BBLs that were more than five times higher than those observed in a nonsmoking U.S. population. BBLs of participants did not increase during the work shift, suggesting that because the participants were chronically exposed to benzene, complex pharmacokinetic mechanisms were involved. Our results highlight the need for more complete studies to assess the potential benefits of setting environmental standards for benzene and other VOCs in Mexico.

Environmental tobacco smoke and policies for its control.

This study evaluated the effect of designated smoking areas in an office and the efficacy of air cleaners in a smoking room. The concentrations of suspended particulates (SP) were measured at 13 points in the office, including the smoking room, corridors around the smoking room, and a non-smoking office. The SP concentrations were between 0.52 to 1.31 mg/m3 in the smoking room, 0.06 to 0.22 mg/m3 in the corridors and 0.03 to 0.05 mg/m3 in the non-smoking office, respectively. The results showed that the area restriction on smoking in this office was successful, although an outflow of tobacco smoke was observed in the corridors. The SP concentration in the smoking room where three electrostatic air cleaners had been installed was monitored over 24 hours. The SP concentration due to tobacco smoke in the smoking room was much greater than the control concentration of SP in air-conditioned buildings in Japan, that is, not more than 0.15 mg/m3. The effectiveness of electrostatic air cleaners in closed smoking rooms is discussed.

How much does Environmental Tobacco Smoke Contribute to the Building Symptom Index?

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been identified as one of the factors associated with the symptoms of the sick building syndrome (SBS). We investigated the role of ETS in an office building during the phased introduction of a smoking ban. Over a two-year period we measured symptoms using a validated questionnaire, environmental nicotine levels and salivary cotinine as a biological marker of nicotine absorption in a stratified systemic sample of 375 office employees (91% response rate). In addition, 26 persons from a non-smoking office were studied as a control group. This report describes the findings derived from a cross-sectional analysis of the initial baseline data. Amongst the validated nonsmokers, symptoms increased with increasing nicotine exposure from ETS (r= 0.165 p < 0. 01), supporting the role of ETS in the SBS. Smokers reported significantly fewer symptoms than non-smokers, as has been found before, but were exposed to higher levels of airborne nicotine as expected. We suggest that this factor, along with the misclassification of smoking status, may have obscured an association between ETS exposure and the SBS in previous studies. An analysis of the findings after implementation of the smoking ban should provide further information on how much of the SBS is attributable to ETS in this study population.

Concentrations of nicotine, RSP, CO and CO2 in nonsmoking areas of offices ventilated by air recirculated from smoking designated areas.

The exposure of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) when smoking is relegated to designated areas that are not separately ventilated is of considerable interest. Concentrations of nicotine, respirable suspended particles (RSP), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured in offices under different conditions of smoking regulation: smoking prohibited; smoking prohibited areas receiving recirculated air from designated smoking areas; smoking and nonsmoking sections of these designated smoking areas. Nicotine was collected by pumping air for periods of 1-8 hr at 1 L/min through sampling tubes containing a styrene divinylbenzene copolymer. RSPs (5 micron cut-off) were measured using an optical side scattering instrument. CO was measured by a direct reading electrochemical analyzer and CO2 by colorimetric detector tubes. Detection of nicotine in nonsmoking office areas that received recirculated air from smoking designated areas required sampling times of 4 hr or more. Nicotine levels in such offices were approximately 1.0 micrograms/m3. RSP, CO and CO2 concentrations were approximately the same in these offices as compared to nonsmoking offices not exposed to recirculated air from smoking areas. Providing a designated but not separately ventilated smoking area appears to be effective in eliminating most components of ETS from nonsmoking office work areas.

Carbon monoxide in air and breath of employees in an underground office.

An office containing about 65 employees was found to have 8-h average CO concentrations of 18-26 ppM during a week in winter. On one Friday afternoon, 20 nonsmoking office workers had alveolar CO levels of 23 +/- 3 ppM compared to levels of 8 +/- 2 ppM in six non-smoking workers in other offices in the same building. After a weekend at home, the affected office workers displayed reduced alveolar CO levels of 7 +/- 2 ppM. The source of the high CO levels was attributed to a parking garage on the same level as the office. Closing fire doors and activating garage fans rectified the situation. The breath sampling method is found to require a correlation factor based on the difference between the true alveolar CO and the CO level in the surrounding air. The methods and equipment employed in the study (personal air monitors, electronic data loggers, breath sampling) are recommended for screening and identifying potential CO problems in buildings with similar conditions.

A comparison of eight lung function indices in smoking and non-smoking office workers.

A generally healthy office working population (N = 644) was investigated using eight pulmonary function indices obtained from maximum expiratory flow volume curves and single breath nitrogen/closing volume tests. Abnormal test results were related to smoking history. Results showed a) increases in pulmonary dysfunction among current smokers on most tests, b) delta nitrogen as the test most sensitive to smoking effects, and c) some reversal of smoking-related dysfunction in exsmokers. These findings may have implications in the early detection of chronic obstructive lung disease.