title: Association between secondhand smoke exposure and blood lead and cadmium concentration in community dwelling women: the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the association between secondhand smoke exposure and blood lead and cadmium concentration in women in South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  South Korea (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V).
  
  
  METHODS
  1490 non-smoking women who took part in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012), in which blood levels of lead and cadmium were measured.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was blood levels of lead and cadmium in accordance with the duration of secondhand smoke exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adjusted mean level of blood cadmium in women who were never exposed to secondhand smoke was 1.21 (0.02) µg/L. Among women who were exposed less than 1 h/day, the mean cadmium level was 1.13 (0.03) µg/L, and for those exposed for more than 1 h, the mean level was 1.46 (0.06) µg/L. In particular, there was a significant association between duration of secondhand smoke exposure at the workplace and blood cadmium concentration. The adjusted mean level of blood cadmium concentration in the never exposed women's group was less than that in the 1 h and more exposed group, and the 1 h and more at workplace exposed group: 1.20, 1.24 and 1.50 µg/L, respectively. We could not find any association between lead concentration in the blood and secondhand smoke exposure status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that exposure to secondhand smoke and blood cadmium levels are associated. Especially, there was a significant association at the workplace. Therefore, social and political efforts for reducing the exposure to secondhand smoke at the workplace are needed in order to promote a healthier working environment for women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeongi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Suyeon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeongi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Kiheon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeongi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Ju Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeongi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo Kyung
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeongi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Keehyuck
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeongi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeongi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood*; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D056910:Republic of Korea; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003367:Cotinine
keywords: OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE; PRIMARY CARE; TOXICOLOGY