Search

A large percentage of the US population may be exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Researchers examined data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), which surveyed 14,269 US residents. A total of 10,642 also donated blood samples, which were tested for cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine. Forty-three percent of the children were exposed to ETS at home and 37.4% of adult nonsmokers were exposed to ETS at home or at work. When the analysis was restricted to working adults, 47.7% were exposed to ETS at home or work and the average exposure was four hours. However, exposure to ETS was much more common when blood cotinine levels were analyzed. Among nonsmokers, 87.9% had detectable amounts of cotinine in their blood. When smokers were included, 91.7% of the entire group had detectable blood cotinine levels. Cotinine levels were higher in children compared to adults, in blacks compared to whites and in men compared to women., Objective.--To estimate the extent of exposure of the US population to environmental tobacco smoke and the contribution of the home and workplace environment to environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Design.--Nationally representative cross-sectional survey including questionnaire information from persons aged 2 months and older (n=16818) and measurements of serum cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) from persons aged 4 years and older (n=10642). Setting/Participants.--Participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, October 25, 1988, to October 21, 1991. Results.--Of US children aged 2 months to 11 years, 43% lived in a home with at least 1 smoker, and 37% of adult non--tobacco users lived in a home with at least 1 smoker or reported environmental tobacco smoke exposure at work. Serum cotinine levels indicated more widespread exposure to nicotine. Of non-tobacco users, 87.9% had detectable levels of serum cotinine. Both the number of smokers in the household and the hours exposed at work were significantly and independently associated (P

Lethal amounts of carbon monoxide can be produced by all combustible fuels. The carbon monoxide produced by simple fires is accompanied by noxious gases and smoke, and so fatal amounts of carbon monoxide are not usually permitted to accumulate. However, clean-burning fuels create little smell or smoke, and therefore the odorless carbon monoxide can, on occasion, collect unnoticed. A survey of carbon monoxide deaths over a 10-year period was undertaken to tabulate the factors involved with fatal carbon monoxide poisonings. A total of 25,889 deaths from carbon monoxide over this period were suicides and 210 were homicides. Poisoning was associated with serious burns or house fires in 15,523 cases. There were 11,547 unintentional deaths directly due to carbon monoxide poisoning. From 1979 to 1988, the annual number of unintentional deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning declined from 1,513 to 878. (During this same period, the US population increased by 21 million.) The majority of these deaths, 6,552 or 57 percent, were due to automobile exhaust. As might be expected, 83 percent of these deaths occurred in stationary vehicles, while 1,100 deaths occurred in moving vehicles. At least 109 of these people were passengers; on most deaths certificates it was not specified whether the victim was passenger or driver. The source of the carbon monoxide poisoning was not specified in 2,302 cases. The use of wood, coal, or other fuel in a stove or fireplace was the origin of the carbon monoxide in 1,199 cases. The death rate was roughly comparable for all age groups, with the exception of the very young and the very old. The death rate varied widely among the states, however. Alaska had the highest rate of unintentional carbon monoxide-related deaths, and Hawaii had the lowest. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.), Objective.--To describe the epidemiology of recent unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in the United States. Design.--Descriptive analysis of carbon monoxide--related deaths in the United States from 1979 through 1988, based on death certificate reports compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics. Population Studied.--All US deaths, 1979 through 1988. Results.--We reviewed data from 56 133 death certificates that contained codes implicating carbon monoxide as a contributing cause of death. Of these, 25 889 were suicides, 210 were homicides, 15 523 were associated with severe burns or house fires, and 11 547 were classified as unintentional. The number of unintentional deaths decreased steadily by about 63 deaths per year, from 1513 in 1979 to 878 in 1988. The highest death rates occurred in winter and among males, blacks, the elderly, the residents of northern states. Motor vehicle exhaust gas caused 6552 (57%) of the unintentional deaths; 5432 (83%) of these were associated with stationary automobiles. Conclusions.--The rate of unintentional death from carbon monoxide poisoning is decreasing. This may be attributable to improvements in automobile pollution control systems and improved safety of cooking and heating appliances. Prevention programs should target young drivers, males, and the elderly.

The health effects of the major mycotoxins are reviewed. Mycotoxins are produced by fungi and include aflatoxin, ergot alkaloids, fumonisins, trichothecenes, vomitoxin, and satratoxin.