300809
An Assessment of Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure Using Personal Air Sampling and Exhaled Breath Analysis
Secondhand smoke (SHS) is a very well-documented human health hazard, and it is associated with a wide range of cardiovascular and respiratory health effects. Health effects associated with long-term exposure to SHS have been extensively studied, but the health effects from short-term SHS exposure are not as well understood. This presentation will describe the exposure assessment approach we used in a study measuring the effect of short-term SHS exposure on pulmonary function.
Methods:
We recruited a cohort of healthy, non-smoking adults (n=96, age=21-34) to spend three hours in a local pub where smoking is permitted. SHS is comprised of a complex mixture of over 7,000 different compounds which makes it difficult to measure. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a very sensitive indicator of SHS concentration, and variability in personal PM2.5 levels can be measured with direct-reading monitoring equipment. We measured personal PM2.5 and carbon monoxide concentration levels using direct-reading monitors for each study participant. We also measured changes in exhaled breath carbon monoxide levels to further characterize personal SHS exposure.
Results and Conclusions:
We will present the results of our exposure assessment and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of our approach.
Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciencesEpidemiology
Occupational health and safety
Learning Objectives:
Describe and evaluate exposure assessment methods for secondhand tobacco smoke.
Analyze the relationship between personal and ambient air pollution levels in a smoking environment.
Keyword(s): Tobacco Control, Epidemiology
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Certified Industrial Hygienist with over twenty years of experience measuring air pollution levels. I have been conducting research on secondhand tobacco smoke for over five years, and I have been either the principal investigator or co-investigator on multiple studies in this area.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.