[Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in homes of Mexico City: analysis of environmental samples and children and women hair].
OBJECTIVE
In Mexico no evaluation of environmental tobacco smoke exposure in homes or habitants has been conducted. The objective of this study is to quantify environmental nicotine in Mexico City homes, simultaneously evaluating nicotine levels in children and women.


METHODS
In July 2005 a convenience sample of 41 homes was selected, 20% without smokers, 80% with smokers. Nicotine passive monitors were allocated in homes for one week, obtaining samples of hair from inhabitant non-smoking women and children. Samples were taken to the Johns Hopkins University where nicotine was extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography. A survey of opinions and behaviors related to environmental tobacco smoke was conducted.


RESULTS
Environmental nicotine concentrations had a median of 0.08 microg/m3 (IQR 0.01-0.64), in children's hair 0.05 ng/mg (IQR 0.05-0.29), and in women's hair 0.05 ng/mg (IQR 0.05-0.19). Environmental nicotine concentrations and in children's hair were highly correlated (rS=0.49), and increased with the number of smokers at home. The majority of adults surveyed showed support towards measures of environmental tobacco smoke control.


CONCLUSIONS
Homes are important spaces of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Particularly high levels of exposure were observed in children's hair, attributable to the presence of environmental nicotine at home. Integral preventive activities to eliminate active smoking and to avoid tobacco consumption at home are required.
Barrientos-Gutiérrez
Tonatiuh
T
School of Public Health, University of Texas, Texas 77030, USA. tonatiuh.barrientos@uth.tmc.edu
Reynales-Shigematsu
Luz Myriam
LM
Avila-Tang
Erika
E
Wipfli
Heather
H
Lazcano-Ponce
Eduardo
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D014504:Urban Health
D000393:Air Pollutants; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine