Breath carbon monoxide level of non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Background. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is a health hazard for non-smokers. Objective. To measure breath carbon monoxide (CO) levels of non-smoking subjects exposed to ETS and of non-smoking subjects not exposed to ETS. Results. The study was conducted with the help of a pre-designed questionnaire. One hundred male subjects were selected for the study; group I consisted of 50 non-smokers (waiters in hotels/restaurants/bars) exposed to ETS and group II consisted of 50 non-smokers not exposed to ETS. All subjects underwent clinical examination. Breath CO levels of both the groups were measured by the Mini Smoklyzer. The mean breath CO level (ppm) was higher in group I compared to group II (9.18±2.84 versus 4.56 ±1.62; p<0.001). The mean breath CO level was also significantly higher in ETS exposed subjects who worked for more than nine hours a day in bars, restaurants and hotels (p=0.018) and in subjects suffering from respiratory diseases (p<0.001) compared to normal subjects. Conclusion. The abnormally high level of breath CO observed in passive smokers exposed to ETS may suggest that these subjects may be prone to develop the tobacco related diseases. [Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci 2011;53:215-219]