Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Nov 1984
ReviewLung dynamics and uptake of smoke constituents by nonsmokers--a survey.
Models of smoke kinetics and lung dynamics of inhaled particles are discussed and compared with the available literature on mainstream and sidestream smoke particles. The literature search reveals a dearth of reliable information on the deposition of inhaled particulate tobacco smoke components in the human lung. Scanty results on mainstream smoke range from unexpectedly high deposits to values in line with predictions of conventional mathematical deposition models confirmed in tests with stable aerosols. ⋯ It is in agreement with established deposition probabilities. Experimental and theoretical estimates of relative particle deposition in the human lung range from some 10% for sidestream smoke particles to more than 80% for mainstream aerosol. This indicates a need for more, and better, experimental data.
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The acute irritating and annoying effects of smoke have been investigated in field and laboratory studies by examining the concentration of some smoke components in air. In the workplace, 30 to 70% of the indoor carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate concentrations are due to tobacco smoke; 25-40% of the employees are disturbed and/or annoyed by smoke and 25% suffer from eye irritation at work. Subjective eye, nose, and throat irritations and eye blink rate increase with increasing smoke concentration and increasing exposure duration. ⋯ Above these limits, countermeasures to protect passive smokers are necessary. In order not to exceed the upper tolerable threshold limit of 2.0 ppm carbon monoxide, it is necessary to have a fresh air supply of 33 m3 per hour per cigarette smoked. Special attention should be paid to groups of people with increased sensitivity to environmental tobacco smoke, e.g., asthmatics, allergic individuals, chronic bronchitis sufferers, and children.