Minimizing exposure to passive smoke in the enclosed environment of U.S. submarines.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine which designated smoking area on a submarine, forward or aft, minimizes nonsmokers' exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.


METHODS
A survey was administered and urine tested by an enzyme-linked immunoassay for urinary cotinine before and during a 10 d underway. There were four groups tested; submariners on boats with forward or aft designated smoking areas, with each of these groups further divided into submariners whose watch is primarily forward or aft.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in urine cotinine levels between submariners whose watches are primarily in the forward section as compared with those who work primarily aft. This was true for predeployment as compared with deployment levels and whether the designated smoking area was located forward or aft.


CONCLUSIONS
Using cotinine as a marker, passive smoke exposure appears to be minimum. The location of the designated smoking area aboard U. S. Navy submarines does not appear to have any effect on urinary cotinine levels.
Jackman
Robert P
RP
Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, CT, USA. rjackman8@aol.com
Willette
Perry N
PN
White
Debra
D
Krizek
Susan M
SM
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine*; D003625:Data Collection; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013366:Submarine Medicine; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D003367:Cotinine