• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.621-626
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• 2015

Background: Smokefree laws aim to protect employees and the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Waterpipe premises have significantly increased in number in the last decade, with anecdotal reports of poor compliance with the smokefree law. The literature is bereft of information pertaining to waterpipe premise employees. This study aimed to opportunistically gather knowledge about the occupational health hazards associated with working in waterpipe premises in London, England. Materials and Methods: Employees from seven convenience-sampled, smokefree-compliant waterpipe premises in London were observed for occupational activities. Opportunistic carbon monoxide (CO) measurements were made among those with whom a rapport had developed. Observations were thematically coded and analysed. Results: Occupational hazards mainly included environmental smoke exposure. Waterpipe-serving employees were required to draw several puffs soon after igniting the coals, thereby providing quality assurance of the product. Median CO levels were 27.5ppm (range 21-55ppm) among these employees. Self-reported employee health was poor, with some suggestion that working patterns and smoke exposure was a contributory factor. Conclusions: The smokefree law in England does not appear to protect waterpipe premise employees from high levels of CO. Continued concerns surrounding chronic smoke exposure may contribute to poor self-reported physical and mental wellbeing.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2015

Owing to the increase in price of cigarettes in Korea, herbal cigarettes have received increasing attention as a non-smoking aid; however, its safety has hardly been studied. We analyzed some of the toxic components in the mainstream smoke of herbal cigarettes, performed a mutagenicity test on smoke condensates for safety assessment, and compared the results with the corresponding values of a general cigarette with the same tar content. Herbal cigarette "A" was smoked using automatic smoking machine under ISO conditions in a manner similar to general cigarette "T". The tar content measured was higher than that inscribed on the outside of a package. The mainstream smoke of herbal cigarette "A" did not contain detectable levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines and nicotine. Carbon monoxide and benzo(${\alpha}$)pyrene contents in herbal cigarette "A" were higher than those in the general cigarette "T". The phenolic contents such as hydroquinone, resorcinol, and catechol in herbal cigarette "A" were higher than those in the general cigarette "T", but cresol contents in herbal cigarette "A" were lower than those in the general cigarette "T". The content of aromatic amines such as 4-aminobiphenyl in herbal cigarette "A" was higher than that in the general cigarette "T"; however, this difference was not statistically significant. On the other hand, 1-aminonaphthalene, 2-aminonaphthalene, and 3-aminobiphenyl contents in herbal cigarette "A" were lower than those in the general cigarette "T". The smoke condensates of herbal cigarette "A" exhibited a higher mutagenic potential than the condensates from the general cigarette "T" at the same concentration. We concluded that the mainstream smoke of herbal cigarette contains some toxic components, the smoke condensates of herbal cigarettes are mutagenic similar to general cigarette because of combustion products, and that the evaluation of the chemical and biological safety of all types of herbal cigarettes available on the market.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.360-369
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• 2018

Objectives: Outdoor tobacco smoke can penetrate into the indoor environment through cracks in the building envelope. This study aimed to characterize the particle size distribution of infiltrated secondhand smoke (SHS) through the gap in a single glazed and a secondary glazed window according to pressure differences in a chamber. Methods: Two polyvinyl chloride sliding windows were evaluated for infiltration, one with a glazed window and the other with a secondary glazed window. Each window was mounted and sealed in a polycarbonate chamber. The air in the chamber was discharged to the outside to establish pressure differences in the chamber (${\Delta}P$). Outdoor smoking sources were simulated at a one-meter distance from the window side of the chamber. The particle size distribution of the infiltrated SHS was measured in the chamber using a portable aerosol spectrometer. The particle size distribution of SHS inside the chamber was normalized by the outdoor peak for fine particles. Results: The particle size distribution of SHS inside the chamber was similar regardless of window type and ${\Delta}P$. It peaked at $0.2-0.3{\mu}m$. Increases in particulate matter (PM) concentrations from SHS infiltration were higher with the glazed window than with the secondary glazed window. PM concentrations of less than $1{\mu}m$ increased as ${\Delta}P$ was increased inside the chamber. Conclusions: The majority of infiltrated SHS particles through window gap was $0.2-0.3{\mu}m$ in size. Outdoor SHS particles infiltrated more with a glazed window than with a secondary glazed window. Particle sizes of less than $1{\mu}m$ were associated with ${\Delta}P$. These findings can be a reference for further research on the measurement of infiltrated SHS in buildings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10653-10658
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• 2015

Background: A very high incidence of lung cancer is observed in Mizoram and Manipur, North East India. We conducted a population based case control study to establish associations of p53 codon 72 polymorphisms and interactions with environmental factors for this high incidence. Material and Methods: A total of 272 lung cancer cases and 544 controls matched for age (${\pm}5years$), sex and ethnicity were collected and p53 codon 72 polymorphism genotypes were analyzed using a polymerase chain based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. We used conditional multiple logistic regression analysis to calculate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals after adjusting for confounding factors. Results: p53 Pro/Pro genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of lung cancer in the study population (adjusted OR=2.14, CI=1.35-3.38, p=0.001). Interactions of the p53 Pro/Pro genotype with exposure to wood smoke (adjusted OR=3.60, CI=1.85-6.98, p<0.001) and cooking oil fumes (adjusted OR=3.27, CI=1.55-6.87, p=0.002), betel quid chewing (adjusted OR=3.85, CI=1.96-7.55, p<0.001), tobacco smoking (adjusted OR=4.42, CI=2.27-8.63, p<0.001) and alcohol consumption (adjusted OR=3.31, CI=1.10-10.03, p=0.034) were significant regarding the increased risk of lung cancer in the study population. Conclusions: The present study provided preliminary evidence that a p53 codon 72 polymorphism may effect lung cancer risk in the study population, interacting synergistically with environmental factors.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.505-512
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• 2020

Background: In monitoring exposure to environmental smoke (ETS), biomarkers can overcome the subjectivity and inaccuracy of self-reporting measurements, and have the advantage of reflecting ETS exposure in all places. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ETS exposure measurement using biomarkers such as urine cotinine. Methods: This study used the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey data from 2009 to 2018. A total of 28,574 non-smokers with urine cotinine data were selected for the study. The cotinine concentration and ETS exposure rate using urine cotinine was estimated and then compared with the self-reporting measurements. The degree of agreement among measurements of ETS exposure was confirmed. Results: As a result of measuring ETS exposure with urine cotinine, 23,594 (83.8%) out of 28,574 subjects were classified as to exposure groups. This estimate differs significantly from measurements made by self-reporting. In addition, the average concentration of cotinine in non-smokers has decreased to a 10th level over the past 10 years. Based on the biomarker, the sensitivity of the self-reporting was 8.5%-29.0%, the specificity was 16.4%-19.5%, and the kappa value was 2.0%-5.8%. Conclusion: The findings of our study show that self-reporting measurement does not well reflect the extent to which non-smoker's exposure to smoking materials. Whereas cotinine concentration has decreased significantly over the past 10 years, the ETS exposure rate has not reduced. It strongly suggests the need for intervention in the group of non-smokers exposed to low concentrations of smoke. Therefore, an assessment using biomarkers such as cotinine-based measurement should be made in the Health Plan 2030.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.229-262
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• 2015

Toxic tort cases have increased dramatically since the 1970s, as large technological systems, such as nuclear power plants and chemical factories, or mass-produced, high-tech products, had exposed citizens and consumers to dangerous substances. It was, however, difficult to establish causal connection between exposure and the alleged harms in many of the environmental, pollution, and product liability cases under the framework of tort law conception of causation and responsibility. Science and law was called upon to resolve such 'late modern' legal cases where true causes are hard to find, where no single explanatory factor is sufficient for explaining diseases like cancer. This article examines how plaintiffs in the Korean tobacco litigation mobilized such late modern tools in science and law, such as epidemiology and the allocation of the burden of proof, in the context of the global circulation of science and law. It further shows how a set of the scientific theories and legal arguments developed in order to cope with late modern risk played a central role in establishing a causation between smoking and cancer in 2011. This article suggests that STS scholars can fruitfully examine the interaction between science and law as a way to understand and engage with social and legal issues engendered by late modern risk.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.487-494
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• 2017

There is little evidence on the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on prevalence of periodontal disease. The aims of this study were to explore the trends of prevalence of periodontal disease and types of exposure to smoke, including ETS according to the survey year, identify factors affecting periodontal disease, and compare the effect size of periodontal disease between active smokers and secondhand smokers. Data on 11,643 individuals were obtained from the fourth and fifth Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. Information on exposure to ETS at home and work was self-reported. Severity of periodontal disease was evaluated using the community periodontal index. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to model periodontal disease using types of smoking and the survey year. Overall, the prevalence of periodontal disease was 26.0% (n=3,029) and about 9% of the study population were secondhand smokers. The prevalence of periodontal disease among smokers was significantly increased according to smoking types by year. Active smokers showed a statistically significant adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for having periodontal disease except in the year 2007, whereas secondhand smokers had significant associations only in 2010 (aOR, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 2.70) compared to non-smokers. For secondhand smokers, the statistical relationship of predicting periodontal disease was weaker than that of active smokers. However, ETS should separately be considered as an important risk factor for periodontal disease. This study suggested the need for further investigation of the impact of ETS on prevalence of periodontal disease using in-depth research designs and objective measurements for assessing periodontal disease and ETS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.8003-8008
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether family history of cancer is associated with head and neck cancer risk in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 921 cases and 806 controls. Recruitment was from December 2010 to January 2015 in eight centers in East Asia. Controls were matched to cases with reference to sex, 5-year age group, ethnicity, and residence area at each of the centers. Results: We observed an increased risk of head and neck cancer due to first degree family history of head and neck cancer, but after adjustment for tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and betel quid chewing the association was no longer apparent. The adjusted OR were 1.10 (95% CI=0.80-1.50) for family history of tobacco-related cancer and 0.96 (95%CI=0.75-1.24) for family history of any cancer with adjustment for tobacco, betel quid and alcohol habits. The ORs for having a first-degree relative with HNC were higher in all tobacco/alcohol subgroups. Conclusions: We did not observe a strong association between family history of head and neck cancer and head and neck cancer risk after taking into account lifestyle factors. Our study suggests that an increased risk due to family history of head and neck cancer may be due to shared risk factors. Further studies may be needed to assess the lifestyle factors of the relatives.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.468-475
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• 2015

Purpose: Genetic polymorphisms in antioxidant defense and detoxification genes may modulate the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods: A total of 301 healthy preschool-aged children in the Seoul and Kyung-gi areas were recruited. DNA was extracted from blood for genotyping of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) Val16Ala, glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1 Ile105Val, GSTT1 present/null, and GSTM1 present/null polymorphisms by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism or multiplex PCR analyses. In addition to a questionnaire survey, the levels of urinary 8-hydroxyl-2-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by ELISA. Results: Significantly higher urinary 8-OHdG concentrations were observed in GSTP1 Ile/Val + Val/Val genotype (p = 0.030), and tended to be higher in Mn-SOD Val/Val genotype (p = 0.065). On the other hand, exposure to environmental tobacco smoking (ETS) and interaction between ETS and gene polymorphisms did not significantly influence either urinary 8-OHdG concentrations or serum MDA. Conclusion: Based on our findings, GSTP1 Ile/Val gene polymorphisms might modulate the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy preschool children.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2010.05b
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• pp.1209-1212
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• 2010

본 연구는 제주지역 일부 초, 중학생들의 간접흡연 실태와 그로 인한 현재 흡연 여부 관계를 분석하여 초, 중학생들의 흡연 예방 교육 계획 및 수립에 기초 자료를 제공하고자 본 연구를 시도하였다. 자료 수집 기간은 2009년 6월 29일부터 7월 11일까지 제주특별자치도내 초등학교 5, 6학년 아동 464명과 중학생 475명을 대상으로 설문지를 이용하여 조사하였다. 연구 대상자들의 간접흡연 노출 관련성은 가정불화, 성적, 친구관계스트레스가 있는 대상자에게서 높게 조사되었고, 가족 및 주변인의 흡연유무에 따른 간접흡연 실태는 부모 및 친구의 흡연으로 간접흡연에 노출되었으며 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보였다. 간접흡연의 주제공자는 아버지며, 주 간접흡연 피해 장소는 집으로 나타났다. 간접흡연 노출 유무를 종속변수로 한 로지스틱 회귀분석 결과는 흡연하는 아버지를 둔 대상자가 그렇지 않은 대상자에 비해 간접흡연 노출이 높았으며, 흡연하는 친구를 둔 대상자는 그렇지 않은 대상자에 비해 간접흡연 노출이 높게 나타났다. 현재흡연 여부를 종속변수로 한 로지스틱 회귀분석의 결과는 남학생이 여학생에 비해, 중학생이 초등학생에 비해 현재흡연율이 높았고, 엄한 가정 분위기 속에서 생활하고 있는 대상자와 흡연하는 친구를 둔 대상자는 그렇지 않은 대상자에 비해 현재흡연율이 높았으며, 간접흡연에 노출 되었던 대상자에게서 현재흡연율이 높게 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 볼 때 초, 중학생의 간접흡연 실태는 심각한 사회문제이다. 또한 대상자들의 현재 흡연은 간접흡연 노출과 관련이 있는 것으로 볼 수 있었다. 이러한 간접흡연의 노출 및 그로 인한 흡연율을 줄이기 위해서는 가정 및 학교와 공공장소 등에서 간접흡연에 노출되지 않는 제도적 및 환경적인 조치들이 우선되어야 할 것이며, 학생들을 대상으로 간접흡연에 대한 간접흡연 예방 교육 및 대처방안 교육이 조기에 지속적으로 실시되어야 하겠다. 또한 유치원에서부터 고등학교에 이르기까지 모든 학생들에게 필수적으로 흡연예방 교육을 수강하게 하고, 교사들을 위한 연수교육 실시, 학교 흡연예방사업에 부모나 가족을 참여, 흡연예방 사업의 정기적인 평가 실시 등 국가적인 정책이 동반되어야 할 것이다.