Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Joint effect of particulate matter and cigarette smoke on women’s sex
hormones
Version: 
0 
Date: 
28 Oct 2021
Reviewer: 
Radhika A.G.
Reviewer's report:
This is certainly an important piece of work to bring out the association between
particulate matter/cigarette smoke & effects on fenale reprouctive hormones.
However, ther are few points which require clarification
1. Exposure to cigarette smoke has been elicited through a quetionnaire. The
authors have stated that cigarette smoke is an important contributor to particulate
matter. It is unclear if it the tobacco or the PM emanating from the smoke
which responsible for the change in the hormonal milieu. Salivery measurement
of cotinine is possible - this would have added weightage to the study
2. Its unclear how cigareete smoke results in elevation of estradiol. Tobacco is
known to be associted with delayed menarche and early menopause ie
suppression of ovarian function. Authors may clarify in the discussion
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