Urinary 3-hpma in hookah smokers and nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke

Hookah lounges have become very popular and are opening at an increasing rate in the United States. This study compared urinary levels of 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3-HPMA) in hookah tobacco smokers and nonsmokers who visit hookah lounges. 3-HPMA, a toxic and carcinogenic constituent of tobacco smoke, is a major metabolite of acrolein. Acrolein, an a,b-unsaturated aldehyde, contributes to lung carcinogenesis via DNA damage and inhibition of DNA repair. Methods: Two first morning urine samples were collected from hookah smokers (N=51) and nonsmokers (N=51) before and following a hookah lounge visit. Hookah smokers were significantly younger than nonsmokers; (Mean ± SD) 24.5 ± 7.2 years, and 31.8 ± 11.9 years, respectively (p=.001). There was no significant difference between hookah smokers and nonsmokers regarding time spent during a visit at a hookah lounge (Mean ± SD) 181.7 ± 7.2 minutes, and 181.3 ± 12.6 minutes (p= 0.58), respectively. Results: Mean ± SD in pmol/ml of urinary 3-HPMA before and following a hookah lounge visit for hookah smokers were 2292 ± 1993.1, and 3330 ± 2443.5, respectively; and for nonsmokers 1799 ± 1736.4, and 2714 ± 2598.7, respectively. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that the median levels of urinary 3-HPMA increased significantly following a hookah lounge visit from 2006 to 3122 pmol/ml (z=2.39, p=.017) among hookah smokers; and from 1405 to 2199 pmol/ml (z=2.11, p=.035) among non-smokers. Conclusion: Findings inform estimates of health risks due to hookah tobacco smoking, and exposure to secondhand hookah tobacco smoke in nonsmokers frequenting hookah lounges.