Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Public Places

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a major cause of indoor air pollution (Repace and Lowrey, 1980). Exposure to ETS is known to cause irritation (Cummings et al., 1991), increased risks for respiratory infections (Samet, 1989), atopy (Kershaw, 1987), heart disease (Glantz and Parmley, 1991) and cancer (Pershagen, 1989). The exposure to ETS has often been evaluated by the presence or absence of smokers in the family. Exposure is, however, possible in all environments whenever smoking occurs. We have earlier analyzed ETS using the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity assay on extracts of particulate matter collected in homes (Löfroth and Lazaridis, 1986) offices (Löfroth et al., 1983) and public places (Löfroth et al., 1988). These latter studies have now been extended with comparisons between smoking and non-smoking areas and amended with analysis of airborne nicotine as a specific marker for ETS.