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Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2020) | Viewed by 56291

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Matteo Vitali

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Guest Editor

Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: environmental pollution; environmental chemistry; environmental tobacco smoke (ETS); public health; human biomonitoring; risk assessment; hospital hygiene
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Carmela Protano

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Guest Editor

Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Interests: public health; environmental epidemiology; risk assessment; environmental pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The exposure to passive smoking, also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), continues to pose devastating health, social, environmental, and economic consequences. Despite a great amount of studies performed on this issue, many critical research agendas on ETS exposure and effects remain, and new scientific evidence is needed.

For example, ETS has been recently demonstrated to result from the combination of two phenomena: second-hand Smoke (SHS) and third-hand smoke (THS), which are, respectively, the environmental smoke near people who are smoking or just finished smoking, and the environmental smoke that persists long after the clearing of second-hand smoke. Studies performed to evaluate ETS chemistry, human exposure, and health effects should assess the independent contributions of both SHS and THS.

To further complicate this scenario, in the last years a great number of “alternative” cigarettes (electronic cigarettes or heat-not-burn tobacco products) were introduced into several markets worldwide. Previous studies already demonstrated that passive exposure to “cold” smoke generated by e-devices and heat-not-burn tobacco products does occur, but additional investigation is needed to better characterize these new exposure scenarios.

The focus of this Special Issue is aimed at filling the gap currently existing in “hot and cold” smoke chemistry, exposure and effects, both for conventional combustion smoking products and for electronic and heat-not-burn tobacco products. Authors are invited to submit original articles, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, critical reviews and short communications addressing all the issues relevant to report any recent advance in hot and cold smoke exposure and their impact on individual and public health.

Prof. Dr. Matteo Vitali
Dr. Carmela Protano
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
Secondhand smoke (SHS) and thirdhand smoke (THS)
Environmental electronic vape exposure
Human exposure
Adverse health effects
ETS chemistry
Aerosol characterization
Human biomonitoring
Environmental monitoring
Traditional smoking devices
Electronic cigarette (e-cig)
Heat-not-burn products
Risk assessment

Related Special Issue

Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects: Second Edition in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (1 article)

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 1282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are AAMA and GAMA Levels in Urine after Childbirth a Suitable Marker to Assess Exposure to Acrylamide from Passive Smoking during Pregnancy?—A Pilot Study

by Hanna Mojska, Iwona Gielecińska, Edyta Jasińska-Melon, Joanna Winiarek and Włodzimierz Sawicki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(20), 7391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207391 - 11 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2257

Abstract

Introduction: Acrylamide (AA) is a “probably carcinogenic to humans” monomer that can form in heated starchy food and in tobacco smoke. N-Acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-L-cysteine (AAMA) and N-Acetyl-S-(2-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-L-cysteine (GAMA), acrylamide metabolites in urine, are recognized as good markers of exposure to acrylamide. Aim: The aim of the study is a preliminary assessment whether the levels of AAMA and GAMA in urine after childbirth are good markers of acrylamide exposure due to passive smoking during pregnancy. Material and method: The study group consisted 67 non-smokers and 10 passive-smoker women during pregnancy. AAMA and GAMA levels in urine samples were determined using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: The median AAMA levels in urine of non-smoking and passively smoking women were 30.7 μg/g creatinine and 25.2 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Much lower values were determined for GAMA: 11.4 μg/g creatinine and 10.3 μg/g creatinine, respectively. There is no significant difference between AAMA and GAMA content in urine samples between both groups of women as well as in the anthropometric parameters of newborns between those two groups of mothers. Conclusion: Our pilot study did not confirm that postpartum AAMA and GAMA concentrations in urine are good markers of exposure to acrylamide from passive smoking during pregnancy. It is probably due to the different ways of acrylamide absorption from tobacco smoke by active and passive smokers. Exposure of pregnant women to acrylamide from passive smoking requires further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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13 pages, 2151 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Comparative Indoor Pollution from Glo, Iqos, and Juul, Using Traditional Combustion Cigarettes as Benchmark: Evidence from the Randomized SUR-VAPES AIR Trial

by Mariangela Peruzzi, Elena Cavarretta, Giacomo Frati, Roberto Carnevale, Fabio Miraldi, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Sebastiano Sciarretta, Francesco Versaci, Vittoria Cammalleri, Pasquale Avino, Carmela Protano and Matteo Vitali

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(17), 6029; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176029 - 19 Aug 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6452

Abstract

Modified risk products (MRP) such as electronic vaping cigarettes (EVC) and heat-not-burn cigarettes (HNBC) are appealing alternatives to combustion cigarettes. Limited between- and within-device comparative data are available on MRP. We aimed at comparing indoor particulate matter (PM) emissions measured in a randomized trial enforcing standardized smoking sessions, testing different devices and flavors of MRP, using traditional combustion cigarettes (TCC) as benchmark. Overall, MRP yielded significantly lower levels of indoor PM in comparison to TCC (with median PM levels during smoking for MRP < 100 μg/m³, and for TCC > 1000 μg/m³). Despite this, significant differences among MRP were found, with Iqos appearing associated with a significantly lower burden of emissions for all the monitored fractions of PM, including total PM (all p < 0.05). Precisely, during use, PM ≤1 µm (PM₁) emissions were 28 (16; 28) μg/m³ for Glo, 25 (15; 57) μg/m³ for Iqos, and 73 (15; 559) μg/m³ for Juul (p < 0.001 for Glo vs. Iqos, p < 0.001 for Glo vs. Juul, and p = 0.045 for Iqos vs. Juul). Exploratory within-MRP analyses suggested significant differences between flavors, favoring, for instance, Ultramarine for Glo, Bronze for Iqos, and Mango for Juul, even if results varied substantially according to individual smoker. In conclusion, leading MRP have significantly less intense and persistent effects on indoor pollution in comparison to TCC. Yet, when focusing solely on MRP, between-product and between-flavor differences appear, with quantitative estimates suggesting lower polluting effects with Iqos. These results, if confirmed externally, could be used to individualize product and flavor choice to minimize the untoward effects of EVC and HNBC on indoor pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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17 pages, 342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross-Sectional Study on Benzene Exposure in Pediatric Age and Parental Smoking Habits at Home

by Arianna Antonucci, Matteo Vitali, Stefano Martellucci, Vincenzo Mattei and Carmela Protano

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(15), 5469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155469 - 29 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2100

Abstract

After the introduction of the smoke-free legislation, household smoking has become the major source of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure for children. In our previous research, we found a strong association between urinary unmodified benzene (u-UB) levels and passive smoking exposure related to the home smoking policies (HSP). The aim of the study is to further investigate the impacts of several factors on ETS-exposure in childhood by using u-UB as tobacco-related carcinogen biomarker of exposure. Two cross-sectional studies were performed on the same target population of our previous research, in summer and winter season of the years 2017 and 2018, respectively. A questionnaire and a head space–solid phase micro-extraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) analytical method were used as investigative procedures. The improvement found in smoking habits, when compared to our previous surveys, reduced the levels of u-UB in children. However, significant differences related to the high number of smokers and smoked cigarettes, in total and at home, still persist. These differences are more relevant in the winter season. Finally, the only effective way for making homes completely smokefree is to develop public health policies for encouraging people to quit or drastically reduce smoking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

15 pages, 2680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Do Combustion and Non-Combustion Products Used Outdoors Affect Outdoor and Indoor Particulate Matter Levels? A Field Evaluation Near the Entrance of an Italian University Library

by Vittoria Cammalleri, Daniela Marotta, Carmela Protano, Matteo Vitali, Paolo Villari, Maria Sofia Cattaruzza and on behalf of the Smoke-free Department Working Group

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(14), 5200; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145200 - 18 Jul 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3528

Abstract

Particulate Matter (PM) is a well-known health risk factor and pollutes both outdoor and indoor air. Using PM as an air pollution indicator, the aims were to assess outdoor and indoor air pollution due to combustion and/or non-combustion products used outdoors and to compare the PM levels emitted by different products. PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10, 4, 2.5 and 1 µm (PM₁₀, PM₄, PM_2.5, PM₁) was simultaneously measured in two areas, respectively, indoors (with smoking ban) and outdoors (where people commonly smoke) of a university library during the morning and the afternoon of two weekdays. Both combustion and non-combustion products determined a relevant worsening of outdoor air quality, with the highest PM₁ levels achieved when a single traditional cigarette (9920 µg m⁻³), a single e-cigarette (9810 µg m⁻³) and three simultaneous traditional cigarettes (8700 µg m⁻³) were smoked. An increase of indoor PM₁ levels was found during outdoor smoking/vaping sessions, persisting also after the end of sessions. The results highlighted the need for a revision of smoke-free laws, especially for outdoor areas, to include non-combustion products. In addition, it is essential to make society aware of the dangers of smoking outdoors by implementing health promotion interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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14 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Maternal and Fetal Levels of Total Adiponectin, High Molecular Weight Adiponectin, Selected Somatomedins, and Birth Weight of Infants of Smoking and Non-Smoking Mothers

by Magdalena Chełchowska, Joanna Gajewska, Tomasz M. Maciejewski, Joanna Mazur, Mariusz Ołtarzewski and Jadwiga Ambroszkiewicz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(13), 4781; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134781 - 03 Jul 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2205

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between maternal smoking, total adiponectin, high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW adiponectin), selected somatomedins, and the birth weight of newborns. A total of 78 women with a healthy, singleton pregnancy, 41 active smokers and 37 non-smokers, and their offspring were studied. Total and HMW adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and 2 (IGFBP-2) were determined in maternal and cord blood by enzyme-link immunosorbent assay. Serum levels of total and HMW adiponectin were lower in smokers compared to the tobacco abstinent in both the mothers (p = 0.013; p = 0.006) and the infants (p = 0.001; p = 0.047). In smoking women and their children, serum concentrations of IGF-I were significantly lower (p = 0.014; p = 0.042), IGFBP-1 significantly higher (p = 0.009; p = 0.039), and IGFBP-2 did not differ from that observed in the non-smoking group. In multivariate analysis performed on the whole group of mothers, the highest impact of serum cotinine and IGFBP-2 levels were indicated for adiponectin and cotinine and the number of cigarettes/day for HMW adiponectin concentration. In correlation analysis estimated separately for smokers and non-smokers, neonatal birth weight was positively associated with total and HMW adiponectin concentrations in umbilical cord blood. Birth weight was also inversely associated with IGFBP-1 and positively correlated with IGF-I levels in maternal serum as well as in cord blood (r = −0.317, p = 0.005; r = −0.294, p = 0.004; r = 0.245, p = 0.031; r = 0.271, p = 0.009, respectively). The present study showed the levels of total and HMW adiponectin in umbilical cord blood may have a significant effect on fetal development. Both IGF-I and IGFBP-1 concentrations also play an essential role in fetal growth, which is an important predictor of birth weight. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy negatively affected adiponectin and the insulin growth factor profile in the serum of women and the cord blood and may be the reason for the lower birth weight of the smokers newborns compared with the nonsmokers offspring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

10 pages, 1317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Electronic Alternatives to Tobacco Cigarettes on Indoor Air Particular Matter Levels

by Carmela Protano, Maurizio Manigrasso, Vittoria Cammalleri, Giuseppe Biondi Zoccai, Giacomo Frati, Pasquale Avino and Matteo Vitali

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(8), 2947; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082947 - 24 Apr 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7320

Abstract

An aerosol study was carried out in a test room measuring particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10, 4, 2.5 and 1 µm (PM₁₀, PM₄, PM_2.5, PM₁) before and during the use of electronic alternatives to tobacco cigarettes (EATC) IQOS^®, GLO^®, JUUL^®, with different kinds of sticks/pods, as well as during the smoking of a conventional tobacco cigarette. The aerosol was mainly in the PM₁ size range (>95%). All studied EATCs caused lower indoor PM₁ concentrations than conventional tobacco cigarettes. Nevertheless, they determined a worsening of indoor-PM₁ concentration that ranged from very mild for JUUL^®—depending on the pod used—to considerably severe for IQOS^® and GLO^®. Median values ranged from 11.00 (Iqos3 and Juul2) to 337.5 µg m⁻³ (Iqos4). The high variability of particle loadings was attributed both to the type of stick/pod used and to the different way of smoking of volunteers who smoked/vaped during the experiments. Moreover, during vaping IQOS^® and GLO^® indoor PM₁ concentrations reach levels by far higher than outdoor concentrations that range from 14 to 21 µg m⁻³, especially during the exhalation of the smoke. From these results emerge an urgent need of a legislative regulation limiting the use of such devices in public places. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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16 pages, 1316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gene-Environment Interaction between the IL1RN Variants and Childhood Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Asthma Risk

by Yongzhao Shao, Yian Zhang, Mengling Liu, Maria-Elena Fernandez-Beros, Meng Qian and Joan Reibman

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(6), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062036 - 19 Mar 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2701

Abstract

(1) Background: Variants of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) gene, encoding an anti-inflammatory cytokine, are associated with asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway influenced by interactions between genetic variants and environmental factors. We discovered a gene–environment interaction (GEI) of IL1RN polymorphisms with childhood environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on asthma susceptibility in an urban adult population. (2) Methods: DNA samples from the NYU/Bellevue Asthma Registry were genotyped for tag SNPs in IL1RN in asthma cases and unrelated healthy controls. Logistic regressions were used to study the GEI between IL1RN variants and childhood ETS exposures on asthma and early onset asthma, respectively, adjusting for population admixture and other covariates. (3) Results: Whereas the rare genotypes of IL1RN SNPs (e.g., GG in SNP rs2234678) were associated with decreased risk for asthma among those without ETS exposure (odds ratio OR = 0.215, p = 0.021), they are associated with increased risk for early onset asthma among those with childhood ETS (OR = 4.467, p = 0.021). (4) Conclusions: We identified a GEI between polymorphisms of IL1RN and childhood ETS exposure in asthma. Analysis of GEI indicated that childhood ETS exposure disrupted the protective effect of some haplotypes/genotypes of IL1RN for asthma and turned them into high-risk polymorphisms for early onset asthma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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12 pages, 1002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Methods to Measure Salivary Cotinine Levels in Ill Children

by E. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, Matthew J. Mazzella, John T. Doucette, Ashley L. Merianos, Lara Stone, Chase A. Wullenweber, Stefanie A. Busgang and Georg E. Matt

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(4), 1157; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041157 - 12 Feb 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2753

Abstract

Objective: Cotinine is the preferred biomarker to validate levels of tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) in children. Compared to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods (ELISA) for quantifying cotinine in saliva, the use of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has higher sensitivity and specificity to measure very low levels of TSE. We sought to compare LC-MS/MS and ELISA measures of cotinine in saliva samples from children overall and the associations of these measures with demographics and TSE patterns. Method: Participants were nonsmoking children (N = 218; age mean (SD) = 6.1 (5.1) years) presenting to a pediatric emergency department. Saliva samples were analyzed for cotinine using both LC-MS/MS and ELISA. Limit of quantitation (LOQ) for LC-MS/MS and ELISA was 0.1 ng/mL and 0.15 ng/mL, respectively. Results: Intraclass correlations (ICC) across methods = 0.884 and was consistent in sex and age subgroups. The geometric mean (GeoM) of LC-MS/MS = 4.1 (range: < LOQ to 382 ng/mL; 3% < LOQ) which was lower (p < 0.0001) than the ELISA GeoM = 5.7 (range: < LOQ to 364 ng/mL; 5% < LOQ). Similar associations of cotinine concentrations with age (

\hat{β}

< −0.10, p < 0.0001), demographic characteristics (e.g., income), and number of cigarettes smoked by caregiver (

\hat{β}

> 0.07, p < 0.0001) were found regardless of cotinine detection method; however, cotinine associations with sex and race/ethnicity were only found to be significant in models using LC-MS/MS-derived cotinine. Conclusions: Utilizing LC-MS/MS-based cotinine, associations of cotinine with sex and race/ethnicity of child were revealed that were not detectable using ELISA-based cotinine, demonstrating the benefits of utilizing the more sensitive LC-MS/MS assay for cotinine measurement when detecting low levels of TSE in children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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14 pages, 475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diet, Secondhand Smoke, and Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Levels among Singapore Chinese Adults

by Brianna F. Moore, Lesley M. Butler, Annette M. Bachand, Agus Salim, Stephen J. Reynolds, Renwei Wang, Tracy L. Nelson, Jennifer L. Peel, Sharon E. Murphy, Woon-Puay Koh, Jian-Min Yuan and Maggie L. Clark

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(24), 5148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16245148 - 17 Dec 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2986

Abstract

The combination of poor diet and exposure to secondhand smoke may increase hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, but few studies have explored this interaction. We explored an interaction among 574 never-smoking adults from the Singapore Chinese Health Study. At baseline (age 59 ± 8 years), intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber were estimated using a modified food frequency questionnaire. At follow-up (age 64 ± 9 years), HbA1c and cotinine were measured. A product term between cotinine (above or below the median value) and each nutrient (high or low intake) was included in separate linear regression models with HbA1c as the outcome. HbA1c among those with high cotinine and low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intakes were higher than would be expected due to the individual effects alone (p-for-interaction = 0.05). Among those with lower intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, high cotinine levels were associated with 0.54% higher HbA1c levels (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 1.06). Conversely, among those with higher intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, HbA1c differ not differ by exposure (−0.09%; 95% CI: −0.45, 0.30). No evidence of interaction was observed for other nutrients. Diets high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may ameliorate secondhand smoke-induced increases in HbA1c. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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10 pages, 305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association of Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Inflammatory Markers in Hospitalized Children

by E. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, Ashley L. Merianos, Patricia C. Fulkerson, Lara Stone and Georg E. Matt

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(23), 4625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234625 - 21 Nov 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2272

Abstract

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is associated with altered cytokine levels in children. We sought to examine ETS exposure prevalence and the relationship between ETS exposure and cytokine levels in a sample of hospitalized children. (2) Methods: Inflammatory markers (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α) and cotinine were measured in saliva of hospitalized, nonsmoking children (N = 112). To assess the association between ETS exposure and immune system response, we built a multivariate regression model including the four inflammatory markers as the response variables and cotinine, age, sex, and discharge diagnosis as explanatory variables while assessing possible interaction effects. (3) Results: Mean age (SD) was 5.8(5.0) years; Geometric Mean (GeoM) cotinine = 1.8 [95% CI = 1.4–2.2]. Children with non-inflammatory other diagnoses had lower IL-10 (p = 0.003) and TNF-α (p = 0.009) levels than children with inflammatory other diagnoses. Children with asthma (p = 0.01) and bacterial illnesses and/or pneumonia (p = 0.002) had higher IL-8 levels. Independent of diagnosis, there was a significant curvilinear association between cotinine and IL-1β (p = 0.002) reflecting no association for cotinine levels <5 ng/mL and a positive association for >5 ng/mL. (4) Conclusions: Children with higher ETS exposure levels have higher IL-1β levels regardless of age, sex, and diagnosis. ETS exposure may increase pro-inflammatory immune responses in children and may interfere with native immune responses and the ability to heal and fight infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

14 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Relation to Family Characteristics, Stressors and Chemical Co-Exposures in California Girls

by Gayle C. Windham, Jasmine W. Soriano, Dina Dobraca, Connie S. Sosnoff, Robert A. Hiatt and Lawrence H. Kushi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(21), 4208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214208 - 30 Oct 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2609

Abstract

Childhood environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is a risk factor for adverse health outcomes and may disproportionately burden lower socioeconomic status groups, exacerbating health disparities. We explored associations of demographic factors, stressful life events, and chemical co-exposures, with cotinine levels, among girls in the CYGNET Study. Data were collected from families of girls aged 6–8 years old in Northern California, through clinic exams, questionnaires and biospecimens (n = 421). Linear regression and factor analysis were conducted to explore predictors of urinary cotinine and co-exposure body burdens, respectively. In unadjusted models, geometric mean cotinine concentrations were higher among Black (0.59 ug/g creatinine) than non-Hispanic white (0.27), Asian (0.32), or Hispanic (0.34) participants. Following adjustment, living in a rented home, lower primary caregiver education, and lack of two biologic parents in the home were associated with higher cotinine concentrations. Girls who experienced parental separation or unemployment in the family had higher unadjusted cotinine concentrations. Higher cotinine was also associated with higher polybrominated diphenyl ether and metals concentrations. Our findings have environmental justice implications as Black and socio-economically disadvantaged young girls experienced higher ETS exposure, also associated with higher exposure to other chemicals. Efforts to reduce ETS and co-exposures should account for other disparity-related factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

11 pages, 1398 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Further Insights on Predictors of Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure during the Pediatric Age

by Carmela Protano, Vittoria Cammalleri, Arianna Antonucci, Alexandra Sabina Ungureanu, Francesa Santilli, Stefano Martellucci, Vincenzo Mattei and Matteo Vitali

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(21), 4062; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214062 - 23 Oct 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2487

Abstract

Background: The smoking ban in public places has reduced Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure for non-smokers, but despite this, domestic environments still remain places at high risk of exposure, and, today, about 40% of children worldwide are exposed to ETS at home. The aims of the study are to investigate the contribution of several factors on ETS exposure among a group of Italian children and to evaluate the changes in smoking precautions adopted at home when the smoker is the mother, the father, or both parents, respectively. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 519 Italian schoolchildren. Information was collected via a questionnaire. Results: 41.4% of the participants lived with at least one smoker. Almost half of the children exposed to ETS lived with one or more smokers who do not observe any home smoking ban. Lower maternal or paternal educational levels significantly increase the risk of ETS exposure at home and the “worst case” is represented by both parents who smoke. Conclusions: More effective preventive interventions are needed to protect children from ETS exposure. Some interventions should be specifically dedicated to smokers with a low educational level and to mothers that smoke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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Review

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12 pages, 438 KiB

Open AccessReview

Heat Not Burn Tobacco Product—A New Global Trend: Impact of Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Products on Public Health, a Systematic Review

by Aleksandra Ratajczak, Piotr Jankowski, Piotr Strus and Wojciech Feleszko

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(2), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020409 - 08 Jan 2020

Cited by 79 | Viewed by 9183

Abstract

Introduction: The use of heat-not-burn tobacco products (HnB) is being adopted increasingly as an alternative to smoking combusted products, primarily cigarettes. Substantial controversy has accompanied their marketing and use in the public health context. In this study, we aimed to consider the probable impacts of HnB tobacco products use on public health. Methods: In May 2019, we conducted a systematic review of 15 studies concerning awareness and use of IQOS (abbrv. I Quit Ordinary Smoking) selected from three databases: Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase regarding public health. Results: All key outcomes varied by smoking status: more young adults who were currently smoking reported being aware of, interested in trying, and prone to trying heat-not-burn tobacco products. Interest in trying HnB products was also present among non-smokers, which raises concerns regarding new smokers. Interestingly, susceptibility to trying IQOS (25.1%) was higher than for traditional cigarettes (19.3%), but lower than for e-cigarettes (29.1%). Conclusions: Present studies suggest that HnB tobacco products have the potential to be a reduced risk product for public health compared to conventional cigarettes, considering indirectly the potential effects on the chronic diseases which are traditionally linked to traditional cigarette use as well as second hand exposure, but further studies are needed to determine whether this potential is likely to be realized. The process of HnB tobacco products becoming increasingly popular is of a global scale. Only small differences between countries on different continents regarding popularity and use of HnB tobacco products have been reported. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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17 pages, 344 KiB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Nicotine Replacement and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems on Fetal Brain Development

by Sebastian Sailer, Giorgia Sebastiani, Vicente Andreu-Férnández and Oscar García-Algar

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(24), 5113; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16245113 - 14 Dec 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6193

Abstract

Maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy remains a major public health issue. The neurotoxic properties of nicotine are associated with fetal neurodevelopmental disorders and perinatal morbimortality. Recent research has demonstrated the effects of nicotine toxicity on genetic and epigenetic alterations. Smoking cessation strategies including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) show lack of clear evidence of effectiveness and safety in pregnant women. Limited trials using randomized controls concluded that the intermittent use formulation of NRT (gum, sprays, inhaler) in pregnant women is safe because the total dose of nicotine delivered to the fetus is less than continuous-use formulations (transdermal patch). Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) were hyped as a safer alternative during pregnancy. However, refill liquids of ENDS are suspected to be cytotoxic for the fetus. Animal studies revealed the impact of ENDS on neural stem cells, showing a similar risk of pre- and postnatal neurobiological and neurobehavioral disorders to that associated with the exposure to traditional tobacco smoking during early life. There is currently no clear evidence of impact on fetal brain development, but recent research suggests that the current guidelines should be reconsidered. The safety of NRT and ENDS is increasingly being called into question. In this review, we discuss the special features (pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism) of nicotine, NRT, and ENDS during pregnancy and postnatal environmental exposure. Further, we assess their impact on pre- and postnatal neurodevelopment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Passive Exposure to Conventional, Heat-Not-Burn and Electronic Smoking Products and Related Health Effects)

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