Hair cotinine as a biomarker of active and passive smoking in women of reproductive age, pregnant women, children and neonates.
Published: 2005
Language: eng
Number of pages: 134
Description: Measurement of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure has largely relied on reports from respondents. However, biomarkers, such as cotinine, can provide accurate information on exposure to ETS without relying on self-reports. One underused method involves the analysis of cotinine in hair. To date, no reference range of hair cotinine exists to distinguish among active, passive and unexposed non-smokers.Active smoking and exposure to ETS were measured in the hair of women, children and neonates. A total of 1746 cases were available for analysis. For active smokers, mean hair cotinine concentrations (95% CI) were 2.3-3.1 ng/mg for non-pregnant women, and 1.5-1.9 ng/mg for pregnant women. Among passive smokers, mean hair cotinine concentrations were: 0.5-0.7 ng/mg for non-pregnant women; 0.04-0.09 ng/mg for pregnant women; 0.9-1.1 for children; 1.2-1.7 for neonates. Among unexposed non-smokers, mean hair cotinine concentrations were: 0.2-0.4 ng/mg in non-pregnant women; 0.06-0.09 ng/mg in pregnant women; 0.3-0.4 ng/mg in children.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-02, page: 0835.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

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