title: Application of biochemical intake markers to passive smoking measurement and risk estimation.
abstract: Measurement of the dose received from passive smoking complements epidemiological approaches and may provide an alternative method of estimating risk. Non-smokers absorb measurable amounts of nicotine from breathing other people's smoke, and dose-response relationships are apparent. On the basis of the limited data so far available, the dose of nicotine received by the average British non-smoker may represent about 0.5% of that of the heavy cigarette smoker, ranging up to 2% in more heavily exposed individuals. The dose of carbon monoxide appears relatively greater, as does that of tobacco-specific nitrosamines. The situation with respect to tar is unclear, but nicotine may provide a better guide than does CO.
authors.affiliation: Addiction Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London, U.K.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jarvis
mesh_terms: D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D003367:Cotinine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000032:analysis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D011760:Pyrrolidinones; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D003367:Cotinine