Preliminary evidence that high levels of nicotine on children's hands may contribute to overall tobacco smoke exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dust and surfaces are important sources of lead and pesticide exposure in young children. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate if third-hand smoke (THS) pollutants accumulate on the hands of children who live in environments where tobacco is used and if hand nicotine levels are associated with second-hand smoke (SHS), as measured by salivary cotinine.

Methods

Participants were parents and children (n=25; age mean (SD)=5.4 (5.3) years) presenting to the emergency department with a potentially SHS-related illness. A convenience sample of participants were recruited at baseline from an ongoing two-group, randomised controlled trial of a SHS reduction and tobacco cessation intervention. Parents were current smokers; thus, all children were at risk of SHS

SUBMITTER: Mahabee-Gittens EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5623162 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature