ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Indoor exposure to environmental cigarette smoke, but not other inhaled particulates associates with respiratory symptoms and diminished lung function in adults

  1. Lars-Georg HERSOUG1,*,
  2. Lise L.N. HUSEMOEN1,
  3. Torben SIGSGAARD2,
  4. Flemming MADSEN3,
  5. Allan LINNEBERG1

Article first published online: 23 APR 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2010.01758.x

Issue

Respirology

Respirology

Volume 15, Issue 6, pages 993–1000, August 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

HERSOUG, L.-G., HUSEMOEN, L. L., SIGSGAARD, T., MADSEN, F. and LINNEBERG, A. (2010), Indoor exposure to environmental cigarette smoke, but not other inhaled particulates associates with respiratory symptoms and diminished lung function in adults. Respirology, 15: 993–1000. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2010.01758.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup,

  2. 2

    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, and

  3. 3

    Allergy and Lung Clinic, Elsinore, Denmark

*Lars-Georg Hersoug, Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup, Nordre Ringvej 57, Building 84/85, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. Email: lagehe01@glo.regionh.dk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 JUL 2010
  2. Article first published online: 23 APR 2010
  3. Received 15 December 2009; invited to revise 18 January 2010; revised 21 January 2010; accepted 25 January 2010 (Associate Editor: Chi Chiu Leung).

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Keywords:

  • candle;
  • environmental tobacco smoke;
  • particulate matter;
  • respiratory symptom;
  • wood stove

Self-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, but not self-reported exposure to wood stoves, candles or gas cookers, was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of lower respiratory tract symptoms and decreased lung function.

ABSTRACT

Background and objective:  Exposure to particulate matter (PM) can induce airway inflammation and exacerbation of asthma. However, there is limited knowledge about the effects of exposure to indoor sources of PM. We investigated the associations between self-reported exposure to indoor sources of PM and lower airway symptoms and lung function.

Methods:  A population-based cross-sectional study of 3471 persons aged 18–69 years was conducted. Information about exposure to indoor sources of PM and airway symptoms was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire.

Results:  Exposure to wood stoves, candles and gas cookers was not significantly associated with an increased prevalence of lower respiratory symptoms or decreased lung function. In contrast, persons exposed to environmental tobacco smoke for >5 h/day had a significantly increased risk of ‘wheeze’ (OR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.24–2.30) and ‘chronic cough’ (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.12–2.20), as well as decreased lung function (FEV1% predicted), compared with those who were not exposed. Similar trends were observed in never smokers.

Conclusions:  In this cross-sectional study of an adult general population, self-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, but not self-reported exposure to wood stoves, candles or gas cookers, appeared to be associated with an increased prevalence of lower airway symptoms and decreased lung function.

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