Tobacco-Specific and Volatile N-Nitrosamines in Environmental Tobacco Smoke of Offices

Abstract

The tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(N-methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) as well as the vola tile N-nitrosamines N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosopyrrol idine (NPYR) were determined in the indoor air of a poorly ventilated office where extensive smoking took place. Under these conditions, moderate to heavy smoking resulted in indoor air concentrations of 7.6-20.0 ppm carbon monoxide, 109-290 ppb nitrogen oxides and 58.5-132 μg/m³ nicotine. The N-nitrosamine concentrationes were (in nanograms/cubic meter): not de tected (nd)-6.0 NNN, nd-13.5 NNK, 7.9-45.0 NDMA and 3.5-27.0 ng/m3 NPYR. Occupation of the office by a nonsmoker for 1 h would result in a maximum exposure to 0.01 μg TSNA and 0.03 μg volatile N-nitrosamines.

Keywords

Environmental tobacco smoke Tobacco-specific nitrosamine Indoor air

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