The relationships between secondhand smoke exposure and blood cadmium, lead and mercury concentration in the Korean population: findings from the 2008-2012 KNHANES

• Main Authors: Yun-Ah Lee, Sang-Wook Song
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Publishing 2018-03-01
• Series: Tobacco Induced Diseases
• Subjects: WCTOH
• Online Access: http://www.journalssystem.com/tid/The-relationships-between-secondhand-smoke-exposure-and-blood-cadmium-lead-and-mercury,84727,0,2.html

Background We examined relationships between secondhand smoke exposure and blood cadmium, lead and mercury concentration among South Korean adults aged ≥ 19 years. Methods The analysis used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a cross-sectional survey of Korean civilians, conducted from 2008 to 2012. In this study, a sample of 5,304 participants was analysed. Results As urinary cotinine levels increased, the adjusted mean level of blood mercury increased. The adjusted mean level of blood lead was higher in the people who were exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) than in those who were not. The duration of SHS exposure at work and home, was related to blood cadmium concentration (p=0.05 for at work; p=0.05 for at home). Furthermore, as the duration of SHS exposure at work increased, the adjusted mean levels of blood lead and mercury increased. Conclusions This study showed that there were significant associations between SHS exposure and blood cadmium levels at work and home. Therefore, social efforts to reduce the SHS exposure at work and home are needed to promote a healthier environment.