Korean J Prev Med.  1981 Oct;14(1):23-31.

Passive Smoking in Poorly Ventilated Room Space

• Rhee JA

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigation the effects of passive inhalation of cigarette smoke and the correlation between change of flicker value and active or passive smoking in poorly ventilated room. Forty five male student were tested by divided into four experimental groups composed of active and passive smokers and three control groups. Each four experimental groups were exposed to smoke for Two hours in enclosed room. Vital capacities, flicker values, blood carboxy-hemoglobin levels and carbon monoxide concentration in room air were estimated before, during and after the exposure, and amounts of smoking or smoke exposure during two hours were also noted. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Concentration of carbon monxide in air and increase of blood carboxy-hemoglobin level(% COHb) were positively correlated with smoking amount. 2. Increase of blood carboxy-hemoglobin in passive smokers, in average, were about seventy six percent of that in smokers, as 2.2% vs. 2.9%. 3. Comparison with published data showed that Peterson's equation gave most similar result to this study in estimation of increase of blood carboxy-hemoglobin level. 4. During the exposure, flicker values fell steadily in both experimental groups and control groups as time passed. Flicker value were, however, elevated again in experimental groups after exposure, despite the fact that values still fell in control groups. 5. Blood carboxy-hemoglobin and flicker value were negatively correlated and this correlationship was stronger in passive smoker than in active smoker. 6. Multiple regression equation between flicker value and exposure time and blood carboxy-hemoglobin level was expressed as: Flicker value=41.6-0.2COHb%-0.9Hour, 7. In general, it is suggested that biological criteria would be more preferable than chemical criteria in establishment of statutory limitation of smoking in enclosed spaces.

MeSH Terms

Carbon
Carbon Monoxide
Humans
Inhalation
Male
Smoke
Smoking
Tobacco Products
Tobacco Smoke Pollution*
Vital Capacity
Carbon
Carbon Monoxide
Smoke
Tobacco Smoke Pollution