Secondhand smoke exposure within semi-open air cafes and tobacco specific 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) concentrations among nonsmoking employees

Abstract

Objectives: Secondhand smoke (SHS) is a defined occupational hazard. The association though between SHS exposure in semiopen air venues and tobacco specific carcinogen uptake is an area of debate. Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey of 49 semi-open air cafes in Athens, Greece was performed during the summer of 2008, prior to the adoption of the national smoke free legislation. All venues had at least 1 entire wall open to allow for free air exchange. Indoor concentrations of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5 ) attributable to SHS were assessed during a work shift, while 1 non-smoking employee responsible for indoor and outdoor table service from each venue provided a post work shift urine sample for analysis of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL). Results: Post work shift NNAL concentrations were correlated with work shift PM 2.5 concentrations attributable to SHS (r = 0.376, p = 0.0076). Urinary NNAL concentrations among employees increased by 9.5%, per 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 concentrations attributable to SHS after controlling for the time of day and day of week. Conclusions: These results indicate that the commonly proposed practice of maintaining open sliding walls as a means of free air exchange does not lead to the elimination of employee exposure to tobacco specific carcinogens attributable to workplace SHS.

Association between Secondhand Smoke in Hospitality Venues and Urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol Concentrations in Non-Smoking Staff

“…The correlation coefficients between indoor PM 2.5 concentrations and urinary total NNAL concentrations were slightly lower than in another previous study conducted in semi-open-air cafés [20]. The low correlation coefficients between indoor PM 2.5 and urinary cotinine and total NNAL concentrations in our study may be because most urine samples were not collected after work on the day of the measurement of indoor PM 2.5 concentrations.…”

“…The low correlation coefficients between indoor PM 2.5 and urinary cotinine and total NNAL concentrations in our study may be because most urine samples were not collected after work on the day of the measurement of indoor PM 2.5 concentrations. Conversely, previous studies collected urine samples from non-smoking staff after their shift at the end of the day, on the same day that the PM 2.5 concentrations were measured [18,20]. In our study, the average difference in the number of days between the collection of urine samples and the measurement of indoor PM 2.5 concentrations was −2.4 ± 5.7 days.…”

“…Although the correlation coefficients between indoor PM 2.5 concentrations and urinary cotinine and total NNAL concentrations were similar, higher correlation coefficients have been found between urinary cotinine and total NNAL concentrations. Previous studies in semi-open-air cafés have found that indoor PM 2.5 concentrations were significantly correlated with urinary cotinine concentrations in non-smoking staff (Spearman’s r = 0.914, n = 49, p < 0.001) [18] and that indoor PM 2.5 concentrations were significantly correlated with urinary total NNAL concentrations (Spearman’s r = 0.378, n = 49, p < 0.01) in non-smoking staff [20]. …”

“…However, total NNAL concentrations were not associated with any other demographic factor evaluated. Previous studies have reported that demographic factors, such as sex and age, are not associated with urinary cotinine [18] or total NNAL concentrations in non-smoking staff [20]. Possible reasons for higher cotinine levels in female staff members include that women are less prone to report that they smoke because they smoke intermittently.…”

“…Several studies have assessed the relationship between indoor PM 2.5 concentrations and urinary cotinine concentrations in hospitality venues [18,19]; these studies showed a significant correlation between indoor PM 2.5 concentrations and urinary cotinine concentrations in non-smoking staff. To our knowledge, only one study has assessed the relationships between indoor PM 2.5 concentrations and total NNAL concentrations in non-smoking staff working in semi-open air cafés [20]. That study reported that indoor PM 2.5 concentrations were correlated with urinary total NNAL concentrations.…”