Indoor exposure to environmental cigarette smoke, but not other inhaled particulates associates with respiratory symptoms and diminished lung function in adults.
OBJECTIVE
Exposure to particulate matter (PM) can induce airway inflammation and exacerbation of asthma. However, there is limited knowledge about the effects of exposure to indoor sources of PM. We investigated the associations between self-reported exposure to indoor sources of PM and lower airway symptoms and lung function.


METHODS
A population-based cross-sectional study of 3471 persons aged 18-69 years was conducted. Information about exposure to indoor sources of PM and airway symptoms was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
Exposure to wood stoves, candles and gas cookers was not significantly associated with an increased prevalence of lower respiratory symptoms or decreased lung function. In contrast, persons exposed to environmental tobacco smoke for >5 h/day had a significantly increased risk of 'wheeze' (OR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.24-2.30) and 'chronic cough' (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.12-2.20), as well as decreased lung function (FEV(1)% predicted), compared with those who were not exposed. Similar trends were observed in never smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
In this cross-sectional study of an adult general population, self-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, but not self-reported exposure to wood stoves, candles or gas cookers, appeared to be associated with an increased prevalence of lower airway symptoms and decreased lung function.
Hersoug
Lars-Georg
LG
Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup, Denmark. lagehe01@glo.regionh.dk
Husemoen
Lise L N
LL
Sigsgaard
Torben
T
Madsen
Flemming
F
Linneberg
Allan
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D052638:Particulate Matter; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution