Measuring the Effect of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Lung Function

Recently, an article by members of LPHI's Evaluation and Research and the Health Services Research teams was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Titled "Measuring the Effect of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) on Lung Function: Results from a Small Observational Investigation of Acute Exposure," the small study sought to assess changes in lung function after acute exposure instead of the more typically researched chronic exposure levels.

Ninety-six nonsmoking, healthy adults were exposed to ETS at a bar. Lung function [eg, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)] was assessed at baseline, immediately after 3 hours of ETS exposure, and 2 hours after exiting the bar. PM_2.5 recordings were also measured. The brief study concluded that acute exposure to ETS in a natural environment significantly attenuates lung function, and a subgroup experienced heightened reductions in lung function.

Click here to read the abstract or to access the full article.

Click here to download the Lung Function Infographic.