Passive Smoking Is Associated with Multiple Heavy Metal Concentrations among Housewives in Shanxi Province, China

Huiting Chen, Jigen Na, Hang An, Ming Jin, Xiaoqian Jia, Lailai Yan, Nan Li and Zhiwen Li
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Huiting Chen: Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Jigen Na: Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Hang An: Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Ming Jin: Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Xiaoqian Jia: Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Lailai Yan: Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Nan Li: Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
Zhiwen Li: Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: Background: Passive smoking may increase the content of heavy metals in housewives. However, this association remains a subject of debate. Female passive smoking is widespread, particularly in Chinese rural areas. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between heavy metal accumulation and passive smoking status among rural housewives. Methods: 405 women were recruited in Shanxi Province of Northern China, and 384 (94.8%, 384/405) participants were included in the final study, of whom 117 women were exposed to passive smoking. The information on their basic characteristics was collected via a structured questionnaire. We used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze the concentrations of nine heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr), in hair samples. Results: The results indicated that higher As, Ge, Ti, and Fe concentrations were significantly associated with passive smoking. After adjusting for potential confounders, the adjusted odds ratios and the 95% confidence intervals of As, Ge, Ti, and Fe were (1.80 (1.13–2.90), p = 0.028), (1.78 (1.14–2.80), p = 0.007), (1.70 (1.09–2.67), p = 0.019), and (1.67 (1.07–2.63), p = 0.035), respectively. The statistically significant linear trend of the adjusted odds ratios at different levels further supported their association. Conclusion: Our research concluded that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke might contribute to As, Ge, Ti, and Fe accumulation among housewives.

Keywords: heavy metals; passive smoking; hair sample; housewives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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