Measuring tobacco smoke exposure among smoking and nonsmoking bar and restaurant workers.
OBJECTIVE
This study assesses the validity of hair nicotine as a biomarker for secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. Although most biomarkers of tobacco-smoke exposure have a relatively short half-life, hair nicotine can measure several months of cumulative SHS exposure.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of hospitality-industry workers.


METHODS
Hair samples were obtained from 207 bar and restaurant workers and analyzed by the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) method. Self-reported tobacco use and sources of SHS exposure were assessed.


RESULTS
Higher hair-nicotine levels were associated with more cigarettes smoked per day among smokers and a greater number of SHS-exposure sources among nonsmokers. Number of SHS exposure sources, gender, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and type of establishment predicted hair-nicotine levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Hair nicotine is a valid measure of SHS exposure. It may be used as an alternative biomarker to measure longer term SHS exposure.
Okoli
Chizimuzo T C
CT
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. chizimuzo.okoli@nursing.ubc.ca
Hall
Lynne A
LA
Rayens
Mary Kay
MK
Hahn
Ellen J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D007629:Kentucky; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012147:Restaurants; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014903:West Virginia
D015415:Biomarkers; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine