Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore trends in cotinine levels in US worker groups. METHODS: Using NHANES III data, serum cotinine levels of US workers not smokers nor exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) at home were evaluated for trends by occupational/industrial and race/ethnicity-gender sub-groups. RESULTS: Decreases from 1988 to 2002 ranged from 0.08 to 0.30 ng/mL (67% to 85% relative decrease), with largest absolute reductions in: blue-collar and service occupations; construction/manufacturing industrial sectors; non-Hispanic Black male workers. CONCLUSIONS: All worker groups had declining serum cotinine levels. Most dramatic reductions occurred in sub-groups with the highest before cotinine levels, thus disparities in SHS workforce exposure are diminishing with increased adoption of clean indoor laws. However, Black male workers, construction/manufacturing sector workers, and blue-collar and service workers have the highest cotinine levels. Further reductions in SHS exposure will require widespread adoption of workplace clean air laws without exemptions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 57-63 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2008 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health