Dataset Information

Levels of nicotine in dust from homes of smokeless tobacco users.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco or moist snuff, contain many of the same constituents as tobacco smoke and are also known to cause cancer; however, little attention has been paid to indirect exposure of children to tobacco constituents via parental smokeless tobacco use.

Methods

As part of the California Childhood Leukemia Study, we collected dust samples from 6 residences occupied by smokeless tobacco users, 6 residences occupied by active smokers, and 20 tobacco-free residences. Children's potential for exposure to tobacco constituents was assessed using nicotine concentrations in vacuum dust measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results

Median nicotine concentrations for residences with smokeless tobacco users were significantly greater than median nicotine concentrations for tobacco-free homes and similar to median nicotine concentrations in homes of active smokers. Using generalized estimating equations derived from a multivariable marginal model to adjust for a history of parental smoking, income, residence construction date, and mother's age and race/ethnicity, we found nicotine levels from homes of smokeless tobacco users to be 21-fold higher than nicotine levels from tobacco-free homes. Based on mass balance equations, we hypothesize that nicotine is transferred to floors in homes of smokeless tobacco users primarily as a constituent of tobacco that is spilled or expectorated.

Conclusions

Based on our findings, we conclude that children living with smokeless tobacco users may be exposed to nicotine and other constituents of tobacco via contact with contaminated dust and household surfaces.

SUBMITTER: Whitehead TP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3819978 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Smokeless tobacco products, such as moist snuff or chewing tobacco, contain many of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke; however, the impact on children of indirect exposure to tobacco constituents via parental smokeless tobacco use is unknown. As part of the California Childhood Leukemia Study, dust samples were collected from 6 homes occupied by smokeless tobacco users, 6 homes occupied by active smokers, and 20 tobacco-free homes. To assess children's potential for exposure to tobacco constituents, vacuum-dust concentrations of five tobacco-specific nitrosamines, including N'-nitrosonornicotine [NNN] and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone [NNK], as well as six tobacco alkaloids, including nicotine and myosmine, were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We used generalized estimating equations derived from a multivariable marginal model to compare levels of tobacco constituents between groups, after adjusting for a history of parental smoking, income, home construction date, and mother's age and race/ethnicity. The ratio of myosmine/nicotine was used as a novel indicator of the source of tobacco contamination, distinguishing between smokeless tobacco products and tobacco smoke. Median dust concentrations of NNN and NNK were significantly greater in homes with smokeless tobacco users compared to tobacco-free homes. In multivariable models, concentrations of NNN and NNK were 4.8- and 6.9-fold higher, respectively, in homes with smokeless tobacco users compared to tobacco-free homes. Median myosmine/nicotine ratios were lower in homes with smokeless tobacco users (1.8%) compared to homes of active smokers (7.7%), confirming that cigarette smoke was not the predominant source of tobacco constituents in homes with smokeless tobacco users. Children living with smokeless tobacco users may be exposed to carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines via contact with contaminated dust and household surfaces.

Project description:IntroductionApproximately the same percentage of male high school students in the United States currently uses conventional smokeless tobacco as smokes cigarettes, resulting in toxin exposure.MethodsThis study assessed tobacco product use (smokeless, combustible, and electronic cigarettes) and nicotine and carcinogen exposures in a sample of 594 male rural high school baseball players-a population traditionally at risk for smokeless tobacco use. Salivary specimens were assayed for cotinine (a biomarker of nicotine exposure) and urine specimens for 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL, a biomarker of the carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsThe prevalence of past 30-day use of any tobacco product was 29%. Past 7-day smokeless tobacco use (prevalence: 13%) was associated with the highest levels of cotinine and NNAL observed in the sample, whether smokeless tobacco was used exclusively (geometric means: cotinine 11.1 ng/mL; NNAL 31.9 pg/mg-creatinine) or in combination with combustible products (geometric means: cotinine 31.6 ng/mL; NNAL 50.0 pg/mg creatinine). Cotinine and NNAL levels were incrementally higher in each increasing category of smokeless tobacco use frequency. However, observed levels were lower than previously reported for adults, likely reflecting less smokeless use per day among adolescents.ConclusionsBased on these biomarker observations, adolescents who use conventional smokeless tobacco products are exposed to substantial levels of nicotine and NNK. Although exposed to lower levels than adult smokeless users, the findings are concerning given the young age of the sample and tendency for smokeless tobacco users to increase use intensity over time.ImplicationsThis study demonstrates that adolescents using smokeless tobacco are exposed to levels of nicotine and NNK that increase with use frequency and that exceed exposures among peers using other tobacco products. Youth smokeless tobacco use in the United States has not declined along with youth smoking prevalence, giving greater importance to this health concern. To reduce youth (and adult) exposures, needed actions include effective smokeless tobacco use prevention, potentially in combination with reducing the levels of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals in smokeless tobacco products currently popular among adolescents.