Risk Assessment of Passive Smoking Based on Analysis of Hair Nicotine and Cotinine as Exposure Biomarkers by In-Tube Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled On-Line to LC-MS/MS

Passive smoking due to environmental tobacco smoke is a serious public health concern because it increases the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, the current status and effect of passive smoking in various lifestyles are not fully understood. In this study, we measured hair nicotine and cotinine levels as exposure biomarkers in non-smokers and assessed the risk from the actual situation of passive smoking in different lifestyle environments. Nicotine and cotinine contents in hair samples of 110 non-smoker subjects were measured by in-tube solid-phase microextraction with on-line coupling to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and self-reported lifestyle questionnaires were completed by the subjects. Nicotine and cotinine were detected at concentrations of 1.38 ng mg−1 and 12.8 pg mg−1 respectively in the hair of non-smokers, with levels significantly higher in subjects who reported being sensitive to tobacco smoke exposure. These levels were also affected by type of food intake and cooking method. Nicotine and cotinine in hair are useful biomarkers for assessing the effects of passive smoking on long-term exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and our analytical methods can measure these exposure levels in people who are unaware of passive smoking. The results of this study suggest that the environment and places of tobacco smoke exposure and the lifestyle behaviors therein are important for the health effects of passive smoking.