Exposure of U.S. Workers to Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Abstract

The concentrations of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) to which workers are exposed have been measured, using nicotine or other tracers, in diverse workplaces. Policies restricting workplace smoking to a few designated areas have been shown to reduce concentrations of ETS, although the effectiveness of such policies varies among work sites. Policies that ban smoking in the workplace are the most effective and generally lower all nicotine concentrations to less than 1 pg/m3; by contrast, mean concentrations measured in workplaces that allow smoking generally range from 2 to 6 pg/M3 in offices, from 3 to 8 pg/M3 in restaurants, and from 1 to 6 pg/M3 in the workplaces of blue-collar workers. Mean nicotine concentrations from 1 to 3 pg/m3 have been measured in the homes of smokers. Furthermore, workplace concentrations are highly variable, and some concentrations are more than 10 times higher than the average home levels, which have been established to cause lung cancer, heart disease, and other adverse health effects. For the approximately 30% of workers exposed to ETS in the workplace but not in the home, workplace exposure is the principal source of ETS. Among those with home exposures, exposures at work may exceed those resulting from home. We conclude that a significant number of U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous levels of ETS. -Environ Health Perspect 1 07(Suppl 2): 329-340 (1999). http://ehpnetl.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/Suppl-2/329-340hammond/abstract.html

Occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and health risk assessment.

“…A third example is studies of effects of fetal exposure; the developmental period during which exposure takes place is essential with regard to detecting health effects. In three extensive reviews of indoor air nicotine and/or RSP concentrations in different microenvironments, the levels were essentially comparable between work and residential environments in the United States and other countries (1,12,25). According to the most recent review of nicotine concentrations, the levels are slightly higher in the workplace compared to residential environments where smoking takes place (25).…”

“…In three extensive reviews of indoor air nicotine and/or RSP concentrations in different microenvironments, the levels were essentially comparable between work and residential environments in the United States and other countries (1,12,25). According to the most recent review of nicotine concentrations, the levels are slightly higher in the workplace compared to residential environments where smoking takes place (25). The nicotine levels are somewhat higher in offices compared to blue-collar occupational settings, probably attributable to larger size and better ventilation of nonoffice work areas.…”

“…Two reviews on the topic were published in 1992 (1,12). In addition, U.S. studies on ETS exposure in the workplace and home were summarized recently by Hammond (25). Guerin and co-workers (12) reviewed major studies, defined as those with at least 15 observations, that had measured air nicotine and/or RSP concentrations in different environments.…”

Impact of smoking policy on the respiratory health of food and beverage servers

“…For adults, the effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke are less obvious and may be dependent on the source of exposure. Hammond (5) reported typical workplace concentrations of nicotine up to 10 times higher than average home levels, leading her to conclude that a significant number of workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous levels of environmental tobacco smoke. Siegel (6) concluded that environmental tobacco smoke is "a significant occupational hazard for food service workers [p 490]" based on a review of occupational health studies showing increased risks of lung cancer among waiters.…”

Workshop summary: assessing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace.

“…However, the absolute number of exposed workers remains large. Presentations at the workshop on the most recent large-scale workplace surveys by Jenkins (9) and Hammond (10) confirmed the impact of nonsmoking policies on ETS exposure. Nonetheless, some jobs and industries continue to involve exposure to ETS, for example, the hospitality industry, and only limited information is available for certain categories of workers who may still be exposed to ETS, including those working in small workplaces and blue-collar workers.…”