Nicotine in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS): Comparison of mobile personal and stationary area sampling

Abstract

Previous investigations of personal vs. area sampling of ambient nicotine may not accurately reflect personal exposure to ETS nicotine in environments in which individuals are relatively mobile. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a stationary area sampler could estimate actual personal exposure to ambient nicotine when the exposed individuals are moving in and through a field environment. For this study, personal samplers using Tenax, and area samplers using XAD-4, were employed. Evaluations of the two systems using controlled experimental atmospheres of ETS revealed no differences in the measured nicotine levels over a range of 1.0--150 {mu}g/m{sup 3}. Field studies were conductd at approximately 30 locations, including taverns, restaurants with salad bars, laundromats, gaming establishments, and transportation waiting areas. Ambient nicotine levels ranged from 0.0--90.6 {mu}g/m{sup 3}. There were considerable differences in individual nicotine levels over relatively short distances within a given environment, probably due to atmospheric inhomogeneities. The variability between duplicate samples of a particular type was such that no statistically significant difference between stationary area and mobile personal samplers could be discerned. 17 refs., 2 tabs.