Philip Morris
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Occupational Heart Disease
Fields
- Author
- Acosta, D., J.R.
- Aviado, D.M.
- Type
- PSCI, PUBLICATION SCIENTIFIC
- BIBL, BIBLIOGRAPHY
- CHAR, CHART, GRAPH, TABLE, MAPS
- BIBL, BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Document File
- 2023511660/2023512308/Ets: Heart Disease 930900
- Site
- R529
- Author (Organization)
- Atmospheric Health Sciences
- Cardiovascular Toxicology
- Master ID
- 2023511661/2307
Related Documents:- 2023511661-2307 Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Heart Disease
- 2023511710 the Relationship of Passive Smoking to Various Health Outcomes Among Seventh-Day Adventists in California.
- 2023511714-1718 Passive Smoking and the Risk of Heart Attack or Coronary Death
- 2023511722-1727 Effects of Passive Smoking on Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality of Nonsmokers A Prospective Study
- 2023511728 Erratum
- 2023511729 'effects of Passive Smoking on Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality of Nonsmokers: A Prospective Study'
- 2023511730 the First Author Replies
- 2023511734-1737
- 2023511738-1744 Passive Smoking in Females and Coronary Heart Disease
- 2023511749-1756 Original Contributions Heart Disease Mortality in Nonsmokers Living with Smokers
- 2023511760-1781 Lung Cancer in Japan: Effects of Nutrition and Passive Smoking
- 2023511785-1789 Passive Smoking and Cardiorespiratory Health in A General Population in the West of Scotland
- 2023511790 Passive Smoking and Cardiorespiratory Health in Scotland
- 2023511791-1792 Passive Smoking and Cardiorespiratory Health in Scotland
- 2023511793-1795 Passive Smoking and Cardiorespiratory Health in Scotland
- 2023511800-1802 Public Health Briefs Passive Smoking and 20-Year Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among Nonsmoking Wives, Evans County, Georgia
- 2023511806-1816 Relationship of Passive Smoking to Risk of Lung Cancer and Other Smoking-Associated Diseases
- 2023511818 Increased Incidence of Heart Attacks in Nonsmoking Women Married to Smokers
- 2023511822-1824 Cvd Epidemiology Newsletter
- 2023511829-1841 Original Contributions Effects of Passive Smoking in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial
- 2023511842 Re: 'effects of Passive Smoking in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial'
- 2023511843-1844 Re: 'effects of Passive Smoking in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial'
- 2023511845 Re: 'effects of Passive Smoking in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial'
- 2023511846 the Authors Reply
- 2023511849-1853 Smoking As A Risk Factor for Cerebral Ischemia
- 2023511857-1862 Urinary Cotinine Measurement in Patients with Buerger's Disease - Effects of Active and Passive Smoking on the Disease Process
- 2023511865-1881 An Estimate of Adult Mortality in the United States From Passive Smoking
- 2023511882 Editorial Cardiovascular Risks of Environmental Tobacco Smoke
- 2023511883-1887 An Estimate of Adult Mortality in the United States From Passive Smoking: A Response
- 2023511888-1890 An Estimate of Adult Mortality in the United States From Passive Smoking: A Response
- 2023511891-1892 Ischemic Heart Disease: Response to Lee
- 2023511893-1895 Rebuttal to Lee / Katzenstein Commentary on Passive Smoking Risk
- 2023511896-1899 An Estimate of Adult Mortality in the United States From Passive Smoking: A Response
- 2023511900-1906 An Estimate of Adult Mortality in the United States From Passive Smoking: A Response to Criticism
- 2023511908-1911 Deaths From Lung Cancer and Ischemic Heart Disease Due to Passive Smoking in New Zealand
- 2023511912 Deaths From Lung Cancer and Ischemic Heart Disease Due to Passive Smoking in New Zealand
- 2023511913 Passive Smoking in New Zealand
- 2023511914 Passive Smoking in New Zealand
- 2023511915 Passive Smoking in New Zealand
- 2023511916 Passive Smoking and Passive Thinking
- 2023511918-1937 Cardiovascular Diseases and the Work Environment A Critical Review of the Epidemiological Literature on Chemical Factors
- 2023511939-1950 Clinical Progress Series Passive Smoking and Heart Disease Epidemiology, Physiology, and Biochemistry
- 2023511952-1957 Review Passive Smoking and the Risk of Heart Disease
- 2023511958-1961 Aha Medical / Scientific Statement Position Statement Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Cardiovascular Disease A Position Paper From the Council on Cardiopulmonary and Critical Care, American Heart Association
- 2023511965-1983 the Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking A Report of the Surgeon General
- 2023511985-1998 Environmental Tobacco Smoke Measuring Exposures and Assessing Health Effects
- 2023512000-2015 Environmental Tobacco Smoke Proceedings of the International Symposium at Mcgill University 890000 Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Cardiovascular Disease: A Critique of the Epidemiological Literature and Recommendations for Future Research
- 2023512016-2028 Panel Discussion on Cardiovascular Disease
- 2023512030-2037 Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Environmental Tobacco Smoke (Ets) and Cardiovascular Disease
- 2023512039-2054 A Critique of the Methods Used to Assess the Toxic Effects on Man of Combustion Products.
- 2023512056-2066 Coronary Heart Disease and Involuntary Smoking
- 2023512068-2077 7. Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Coronary Heart Disease
- 2023512079-2088 Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Coronary Heart Disease
- 2023512090-2091 Editorial Give A Dog-End A Bad Name
- 2023512093-2108 Weaknesses in Recent Risk Assessments of Environmental Tobacco Smoke
- 2023512110-2129 Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Mortality A Detailed Review of Epidemiological Evidence Relating Environmental Tobacco Smoke to the Risk of Cancer, Heart Disease and Other Causes of Death in Adults Who Have Never Smoked - 5 Heart Disease
- 2023512157-2171 Passive Smoking and Coronary Artery Disease. Biological Plausibility and Severity of Effect
- 2023512173-2180 Carbon Monoxide and Cardiovascular Disease: An Analysis of the Weight of Evidence
- 2023512185-2189 the Effects of Passive Inhalation of Cigarette Smoke on Excercise Performance
- 2023512192-2195 Effect of Passive Smoking on Angina Pectoris
- 2023512199-2202
- 2023512203-2213 Effect of 'passive' Smoking on the Physical Load Tolerance of Coronary Heart Disease Patients
- 2023512216-2220 Indoor Passive Smoking: Its Effect on Cardiac Performance
- 2023512223-2224 Passive Smoking Severely Decreases Platelet Sensitivity to Antiaggregatory Prostaglandins
- 2023512227-2230 Platelet Sensitivity to Prostacyclin in Smokers and Non-Smokers
- 2023512233-2237 Besitzen Passivraucher Ein Erhohtes Thromboserisiko?
- 2023512241-2244 Passive Smoking Affects Endothelium and Platelets
- 2023512247-2253 Lipoprotein and Oxygen Transport Alterations in Passive Smoking Preadolescent Children the Mcv Twin Study
- 2023512256-2257 Abstracts of the 30th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology Children's Hdl-Chol: the Effects of Tobacco: Smoking, Smokeless and Parental Smoking
- 2023512261-2266 Passive Smoking Alters Lipid Profiles in Adolescents
- 2023512269-2274 Serum Lipids & Lipoprotein Profiles of Cigarette Smokers & Passive Smokers
- 2023512278-2279 8th Worldconference on Tobacco or Health Building A Tobacco-Free World 920330 - 920403 Buenos Aires - Argentina Abstracts, Posters and Videos. Serum Lipoproteins in Nonsmokers Chronically Exposed to Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace
- 2023512282 the Association Between Carotid Arterial Wall Thickness and Active and Passive Cigarette Smoking
- 2023512285 Passive Smoking and Carotid Artery Wall Thickness: the Aric Study
- 2023512290-2297 Passive Smoking Increases Experimental Atherosclerosis in Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits
- 2023512300-2301 Supplement to Circulation Abstracts From the 65th Scientific Sessions New Orleans Convention Center New Orleans, Louisiana 921116 - 921119
- 2023512304-2307 Association of Passive Smoking with Increased Coronary Heart Disease Risk Is Not Explained by Elevation of Leucocyte Count
- Litigation
- Okag/Privilege Withdrawn
- Okag/Produced
- Characteristic
- EXTR, EXTRA
- Area
- SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS/BLACK LATERAL OLD S&T
- Date Loaded
- 24 May 1999
- UCSF Legacy ID
- xic02a00
Document Images
(7irJi.,i.i,..ufL, 7" ~ " L,.,.. .~, ~ nJ l~Lnn,
edllc.d h, Uanroi 9aoa.,. 1h
ka.cmPrc- l.W.. Nca)'ork ~ IHV^
15
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure
and, Occupational Heart Disease
Domingo Mi. Aviado
Airttos'phc.ric Heulth Sciences. Shnrt Hills, Neit' Ji<rser 07078
In 1991. the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (1) requested
information on exposures and potential adverse health effects that map be
associated with poor indoor air qualiti\ in the work environment. including
information on exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). One re-
view article, which focuse&on heart disease and which was published prior
to the ageni request. concluded' as follows: "the combination of epide-
miologicall studies with demonstration of physiological changes with expo-
sure to ETS. together with~biochemicalievidence that elements of ETS have
significant adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. leads to the con-
clusion that ETS causes heart disease" (2). Others. however, have expressed
conflicting interpretations of human ani animal studies on ETS. concluding
that it has not been scientifically demonstrated that ETS exposure increases
the risk of heart disease in nonsmokers (3.4). The ongoing debate should not
onlv consider the claimed association between ETS work exposure and
heart disease in, particular. but also occupational' heart disease in general.
The primary purpose of this chapter is to review the toxicological basi" for
identif'ying chemicall substances that may be associated with heart disease
in the workplace.
At the outset, it should be emphasized that proof of an association be-
tween ETS workplace exposure and heart disease is a complex process.
Workers. such as garage attendants. may he exposed to one or more suh
stances tsuch as carbon monoxide) found both in ETS and in,other sources,
so the total exposure is the sum of two or more sources, for example. vehic-
ul)ir emissions, ambient air pollution. and ETS. The same group of workers
may have varied personal habits that have been reportedAobe associated
with heart disease, such as consumption of cholesterol and fats and xanthine
beverages at the employee's cafeteria, physical'inactivity on, the job, and
job-related stress. Outside the workplace, there are additioni potential risk
factors for heart disease. such as lack of leisure time exercise. diztar} cook-
Q_5:5

456 ETS AND NEART DISEASE
ing fat and'salt contenU. household exposure to cooking gas, gas heaters. and
household solvents. Other major risk factors reported for heart disease in-
clude the worker's familial history ofl heart disease, diabetes. hypertension.
hyperlipidemia. and obesity. Any conclusion on a possible role of ETS in
heart disease necessitates controlling for such risk factors.
ItiVESTIGATIVE METHODS FOR INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS
Although there are over 300 potentiallh, hazardous chemicals in the work-
place. there are less thcan, three scores of industrial chemicals that have been
suggested to be associated withihearudisease such as ischemic heart disease.
coronarv atherosclerosis, and cardiac arrhythmia and cardiomyopathyc AI~
though heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. oc-
cupational exposure to chemicals is consid'ered! less prevalent and less im+
portant than risk factors in the diet, im, the environment, and in familial or
inherited susceptibility to cardiov.ascular diseases.
Although it is relativelyy simple to establish a strong association between
exposure to halogenated solvents andl cardiac arrhythmias. it is more com-
plex to obtain supportive evidence as to whether chemicals play a major role
in coronary ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis. Occupational heart
diseases can be grouped into three major categories. These can be sub
grouped~ according to the metho&of investigation. which may involve clinical
studies, pathological observations, or experimentalianimal studies (Table I):
lal ischennic hecmt diseasn (Methods A. B. and C). incltiding mortality stud-
ies, exercise testing for angina pectoris, an6coronary bloo&flow indicators:
(b) coronan atherosclerosis (Methods D: E. and F). demonstrable in pa-
tients by angiography and histopathology. atherosclerosis in experimental
animals, and in iiiro studies of hematologic factors: and (cl cardia( crrrlii1ii-
n:ia~and invnpatln (Method's G and H), both clinicall, and experimentally
induced. The three groups of methods and eight subgroupings OA to H):are
carried over to consideration, of occupational heart disease associated with
exposure to chemicals in the course of manufacturing and processing of in-
dustrial products. The chemicals supposedliy-, associated' with occupational'i
heart diseases are listed in Table II under five classes: one inorganic an&four
organics. Each compound is identified by notations on investigative methods
AtoH'.
Inorganic Oxides and Metals
Carbon monoxide is most' widely discussed as a major substance in the
etiology of occupational heart disease. Workplace exposure to carbon mon:
oxide is encountere& when it is generated in manufacturing an industrial
product. In the steel ind'ustry: carbon monoxide is produced in blasffurnace

ETS AND HEART DISEASE 457
TABLE 1. lhdustrial'chemicals reported to be associated with occupational heart disease
Industrial chemicals Itchemic
heart
disease
Coronary
atherosclerosis
Arrythmias
and myopathy
Inorganics: oxides and metals
Carbon monoxide' A B'C D E F G H
Carbon dioxide G
Nitrogen oxides' G
Arsenic A H
Cadmium' A
Cobalt A H
Lead A F
Nitrogenous compounds
Nicotine' A
Aniline' F
Catechol' G'
Din trotoluene A
Ethylene glycol dinitrate A C G
Hydrazme' G
Hydrocyanic acid' C H'
Nitroglycerin A C G
Pyridme' G
2-ToVwdine' F
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons A
Benzo[aJpyrene' E
7,12=Dimelhyl (a,h) anthracene E
3-Methylcholanthrene E
Nonhalogenated solvents
Carbon disulfide° A B C D E H'
Acetaldehyde' G
Acetbne' G
Benzene' G
Dimethytamine' G'
tv4ethyramme'' G
PhenoP G H
Totuene' G
Halogenated solvents
Methyl chlbride' G H
Methyl chloroform G H
Methylene chloride F G H
Trichlorofluoromethane G H
'Sidestream smoke (SSS) constituent
°Metabolite carbonyl sulfide is ETS constituent.
Method A, mortality studies; Method~ B: exercise testing and angina pectoris: Method C:
coronary blood flow indicators; Method D, coronary angiography and histopathology: Method
E. atherosclerosis in experimentallanimals: Method F, in vitro hematologic factors: Method
G, irregularheartbeat; Method H; experimentally induced cardiomyopathy

4Sr" ETS AA!D HEART DISEASE
smelting of iron ore. cast welding. and vehicular production. Operators of
vehicles, parking attendants, tunnel workers, car emission inspectors. tool
operators, and traffic police are constantly exposed to exhaust fumes and
ele\ ated levels of carhoxyhemoglobin in: such workers have been reported.
All eight subgroups of methods have beeniapplied to arrive at an extensive
cardiac toxicologic profile of carbommonoxide (Methods A to H in Table I).
The two other oxides and four heavy metals listed in Table I have been lesss
thoroughly investigated.
Among heavy metals reportedly associated with heart disease are arsenic.
cadmium. cobalt, and lead. The pathogenesis of heart disease potentially
associated with workplace exposure may vary according to volatilit} of the
metallic compound and'its exposure level'. Cadmium has not been reported
to influence the heart directly but may be related to hy,pertension. which
ma\ lead'to cardiac complications. Lead mav influence the blood and! ulti-
matelr interfere with cardiac metabolism and function. Arsenic. cobalt. and
lead are cellular poisons and there are experimental heart models to support
the occurrence of cardiomyopathy from these metals. Only cadmium has
been detectedl in tobacco leaf and tobacco smoke: traces of cadmium are
derived from soil',
Nitrogenous Compounds
The ten examples in this group include the following: nicotine (an alka-
loid). hydrocyanic acid. and raN products for the manufacture of explosives
such as ethylene glvcolldinitrate and nitroglycerin. The other six examples
(aniline. catechol'. dinitrotoluene. hydrazine. pyridine. 2-toluidine) are nec-
essany in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. pesticides. and dyes, The car-
diac toxicologic profiles for each of these compounds are not completely
knowmand have been studied only bv one. two. or three methods. The entry
on nicotine refers to handling of tobacco leaf, such as cigar manufacturers..
kiin dryers. and warehouse operators.
Polynuclear Aromatic H~drocarbons (PAHI'
These are forme& as a result of pyrolysis or incomplete combustion of
organic materials. There are several hundred PAHs and'onh a dozem have
been reported to be associated with skin tumors via skin painting in mice.
Benzol'u)pyrene is the most widelv studied compound and only research sciF
entists are occupationally exposed to this single PAH. Workers potentiall\
exposed to PAH mixtures include coke oven operators. creosote wood ap:
plicators. asphalt'l road pavers and roofers, aluminum smelters, an& diesel
engine operators. Benzo[uJpyrene and two other PAHs listed inTahl'e I have

TS A,ti'T) HEART !)J:SLASE 454'
been reported to he associated with atherosclerosis in an experimental
model. There are no human studies rel'ating to heart disease other than mor-
talitv statistics of workers exposed to PAK mixtures.
Nonhalogenated Sof.ents
Carhon, disulfid'e is a solvent used in the manufacture of viscose ravon.
cellophane film. electronic vacuum tubes. sulfur-containing soil disinfec-
tants. and carbon tetrachlorid'e. This is the onlv solvent for which there are
stsonFaataon anatisociation with ischemic heart disease in workers. as well
as coronar} atherosclerosis in experimental animals. The cardiac toxicologic
profile is complete except for the lack of in i-rtre+ studies on hematologic
factors and cardiac susceptibility to arrhvthmia. The seven other solvents
hu.e not been studied for occurrence of ischemic heart disease and coronarv
arthero5clerosis.
Halogenated Solvents.
The author and his colleagues have written monographs on the cardiotox-
icity of chlorinated and fluorinated solvents (S-7). Four solvents are identi-
fied in Table I from the original list of more than 10(1'solvents that are con-
sidered cardiotoxic. The four selected solvents (methyl chloride. methyl
chloroform. methylene chlorid'e. and trichlorofluoromethane) are reported
to cause fatallcardiac arrhythmia and sudden death in the course of accid'en-
tal industrial poisonings. Usually it cannot be proved whether cardiac arrest
was caused by a direct cardiac effect or the result of respiratory paralysis
and coma. since most halogenated solvents are not only cardiotoxic but alsoo
central nervous system depressants. Experimental animal'studies have sup-
ported the potential role of sublethal doses of solvents in, cardiac arrhyth-
mias and myopathies, independently of coronary vessels and central ner-
vous svstem involvement.
Miscellaneous Compounds
Industrial chemicals potentially related to heart disease. but which appear
not to directly influence the heart. blood vessels, and circulating blood. are
omitted from Table 1. lnsecticides. including organophosphates. are report-
edly associated with irregular heart rhythms because of their influence on
the autonomic nervous system. Chronic obstructive lung disease associated
with inorganic d'usu particles canicause cor, pulmonale. Exposure to nephro-
toxins. such as mercury and dyes. has been reported to lead to cardiac com-
plications. including congestive heart failure.

460 ETS AND HEART DISEASE
CONSTITUENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMO~I:E
Environmental tobacco smoke is a diluued an6aged mixture of constitu-
ents derived from either the burning end or cigarette butt: mainstream
smoke inhaled from the filtered!or unfiltered tip: and sidestream smoke from
the lighted end. Nonsmokers sharing a workroom with smoking workers
may be exposed to ETS. Sidestream smoke is not inhaled directly' by nonr
smokers but is diluted immediately by air in the workplace and'~continuously.
bv air exchanges. The magnitudes of differences between concentrations of
substances in mainstream smoke inhaled by the smoker and ETS exposure
of nonsmokers have been summarized in a National Research Council
monograph 181. The ranges reported in the literature (parts per million or
parts per billion) are as follotis;
Mainstream Smoke ETS
Carbon monoxide 24,900-57:400~ppm 1-18:5 ppm
Nicotine 430.000-1.080.000 ppb 0.5-75 ppb'
Benzo[aJpsrene 5-Il ppb 0.0001-0:074 ppb
The dilution factors for peak values are as follows: 3100 for carbon monox-
ide. 144.000 for nicotine, and 148 for benzo[lu]pyrene. There is no uniform
dilution for all three because of varied levels in mainstream smoke relative
to sidestream smoke. The unpredictable fates of vapor components (e.g..
carbon monoxidel and particulates (e.g.. nicotine and benzo(u)pvrenel are
influenced by humidity, temperature. air movement, and adsorption by ma-
chinerv and furnishings in the workplace.
Work Standards for lndustrial Chemicals
The minute levels of carbon monoxide in ETS, up to 3100 times less than
the concentration in mainstream smoke, pose a criticall challenge to claims
that ETS exposure can cause heart disease in nonsmokers. Proponent, of
the claimed association between ETS exposure and heart disease in general
(occupational and nonoccupationaU contend thar three ETS constituents un-
derlie this relationship: nicotine. carbon monoxide, and' polynuclear aro-
matic hydrocarbons. For completeness. there are 21 reported constituents
of sidestream smoke that are also used as industrial chemicals, which are
sometimes discussed as potentially associated with heart disease. These
are the same 2li industriall chemicals listed in the first column, of Table I
that are mbnufactured. processed, or emitted in workplaces an& are poten-
tially associate& with heart disease (marked with superscript u in first

'
ETS, An'D HEART DISEASE 461
column. Table 1l. Most halogenated solvents, heavy metal,. and'polycyclic
aromatic hy_ drocarbons have not been d'etected in ETS (no superscript in
Table I I.
The list, of?1 sidesiream smoke constituents inputed to ETS in Table 2'is
a revisioniofthe author's listing of~suspected pulmonary, carcinogens in ETS
(9:10). AlsoJisted'in Table 2 are corresponding threshold limit values (TLVS)l
for various substances. defined asthe recommend'ed~ standards for 8-hr daily
exposure for the prevention of occupational disease (I I I'. Table 2 includes a,
column of target, organs for acute or initial exposure. as, well as for chronic
or iong-term, exposure. When TLV levels are exceeded. early and late signs
of toxicita, appear in skinL mucosa. lungs. liver. kidneys. blood. blood ves-
sels. and nervous systemL Manifestations of cardiotoxicity may occur either
in acute lethal concentrations (more than, 20 times TLV) or repeated expo-
sure to very high, but sublethal. concentrations (more than tv.'o to five times
TLV: depending on the compoundll
TABLE 2. Sidestream smoke (SSS) constituents with threshold limit values (TLV)
Chemieal name Acute
chronic' Max SSS
(mg cig) TLV
(mg m') Cigarette
equivalent
Nicotine M N 8.2 0.5 6 6
Carbon monoxide BIN' 108 55 50
Methyl chloride M'N 0.88, 10.3 1.170
Cadmium Mfl 0.0007 0.01 1,430
Acetaldehyde M P 1.26 180 1.430
Nitrogen oxides M N 2.8 50 1 J80
Carbon dioxide N'N 440 9000 2.040
Pyridine M H 0.39 16 4.100
Phenol M P 0.25 19 7.600
Hydtocyanic acid B'N 0.11 11 10.000
Methylamine M N 0.1 13 13.000
Benzene N'B 0.24 32 13.300
Catechol D K 0.14 23 16.500
Aniline BB' 0.011 8 44.000
Dimethylamine MiHI 0.036 18 50,000
CarbonyP suNide NV 0.0546 30b 54.945
Hydrazine M'HI 0.00009 0.13, 145.000
Acetone MIN! 1 1780: 178.000
Benzo(a]pyrene c 0.00009 0.2' 222.000
2-Toluidine M'B 0.003 9 300.000
Toluene N,B 0.000035 375 1,000.000
'Target organs: B, blood: D, dermak, H, hepatic: K, kidney:, M. mucosalc N, nervous: P.'
pulmonary,: V, vascular,
°A+tetabohte ot' carbon disulfide with corresponding TLV used to calculate cigarette
equivalent'.
'No TLV for benzolalpyrene; TLV for coal tar pitch volatiles used to calculate cigarette
equivalent.

462 ETS AA'!') HEART DISEA SE
Cigarette Equivalents to Attain TLV
The 21 sidestream smoke conhtituents with established workplace stan-
dards are listed in the order of increasing number of cigarette equivalents.
definedas the number of cigarettes burned in a sealed enclosure of I001m"
to attain, but not to exceed. the corresponding TLV (last column. Table 2).
The list starts with nicotine, which is a reportedi mucosal irritant (acute ex-
posureY and an autonomic nervous systeml stimulant (chronic or repeated
exposure). The maximum reported sidestream smoke (SSS) collected from
one burning cigarette is 8.2 mg. On the basis of TLV(0.5 mg/tn'). it would
take 6.6 cigarettes to attain TLV for 10&m' in a:sealed. unventilated enclo-
sure (0.5 x 100 = 8?). It is unlikely for the nicotine concentration in public
places to attain the TLV level. If smoking has been at an extremely high
level inipoorl\ ventilated rooms. subjective discomforts would be expected!
to lead to corrective measures before nicotine levels would approach the
TLV. The secon& SSS constituent listed in the order of increasing cigarette
equivalents is carbon monoxide: 50 cigarettes burning in a I00 m' sealed'
chamber to attain the corresponding TLV' ( l'? ).
Other than nicotine and' carboni monoxide. the remaining 19 SSS constit-
uents would require more than 1(Ki0 cigarettes to attain the corresponding
TLV Such excessively hiFhicigarette equivalents suggest that to attain TLV
levels. more than 1000 cigarettes need: to be ignited simultaneously in an
enclosed space of I00 m'. Consideration of cigarette equivalents clearly in-
dicates that exposure to ETS constituents in workplaces rarely approximates
TLVs.
Nicotine as ETS Marker
Thai nicotine and its maior metabolite (cotinine) are detected in blood and
urine of ETS-exposed nonsmokers has been utilize& by proponents of the
ETS-heam disease hypothesis. Their reasoning is as follows: since nicotine
is the major cause of heart disease seen in cigarette smokers. it follows that
any nicotine derived from ETS can cause heart disease in exposedi non-
smokers. However. there is disagreement concerning whether any nicotine
absorbed by nonsmokers can influence the heart. The estimates of ETS ex-
posure are as follows: a nonsmoker's exposure might be. at most. the nico-
tine equivalent of 'Y~w to '/iawi cigarette in one hr. which has not been, re-
ported to have a significant pharmacolbgic action. In animal experiments.
inhalation. ingestion, parenteral'injection. and dermal application of nicotine
have been reported to influence cardiac function, coronary circulation. and
atherogenesis. but these studies used amounts of nicotine that cannot he
attainedby ETS exposure. Furthermore. coronary atherosclerosis has not~
been reproduced iniexperimental animals by in,iection of nicotine. High nic-
otine levels of pipe smokers compared to cigarette smokers are not report-
)

~.
ETS A~A'1)~~MEAR~T DISEASE 4~6?
edl\ associated with an increased' incid'ence of ischemic heart disease (113).
Workers processing tobacco leaf Icigar making. leaf curing, and %karehouse
uor/~~;era) also have not been reported to shov, a higher incidence of heart
disease. compared to nontobacco workers (14)..
Cardiac Toxicologic Rrofile of Industrial Chemicals.
The 21 chemicals listed in Table 2. when individually used in factories
below the corresponding TLV. have not been associated with, heart disease
nor any adverse effect on corresponding target organs, that is. mucosal sur-
faces. skin, blood. nervous system. lungs. kidneys, and liver (see second
column of Table 21. The same ? 1 ETS constituents also appear in Table I of
industrial chemicals, together with 11 industrial chemicals nuot reported to
be present in ETS. As outlined in Table I. the existing methods for estab-
lishing cardiac toxicologic profiles are as folloti s: Methods A. B. and C for
ischemic heart disease: Methods D. E. and F for coronary atherosclerosis:
and Methods G and H for card'iac arrhythmia an6myopathy. Most industrial
chemicals have been studied bN one or two methods. thus contrit+uting to an
uncertainty of whether these 211 chemicals are related to, heart disease.
Those that have been studied by three to eight methods have a stronger basis
for claims of a relationship with occupational heart disease. namel~. carbon,
monoxide. ethylene glycol dinitrate. nitrogl}°cerin. carbon disulfide. and
metFnlene chloride. There are revie~u articles on industrial chemiealk re-
portedly associated with heart disease (15-17).
A principal' objective of this chapter is to evaluate the potentiali relation-
ships between occupationallchemical's and heart disease, in terms of the ex-
tent of the available data from human studies and~animallexperiments. There
are reviews on individual industriallchemicals and the occurrence of diseases
not limited to the heart (;li1.18.19). A standard source of reference is the
Registry for Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances available in hard copy
(20) as well as on-line in the TOXNET database updated by the National
Library of Medicine and National' Institute of Occupational Safet\ and
Health. Textbooks on internall medicine and': cardiology do not have special
chapters devoted to occupational heart diseases so that it has been difficult
to interest the medical profession. Because industrial chemicals are poten-
tially associated with heart disease by the inhalational route, a World Health
Organization monograph entitled Air Quuliry Guidelincs;(i,r Europer (' 1) is a
helpful reference source. It discusses the following industrial chemicals in a
uniform format: inorganic oxides such as carbon monoxide and nitrogem
dioxide: heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium. and; lead: polvnuclear ar-
omatic hydrocarbons such as benzo{u]pvrene: nonhalogenated solvents
such as benzene. carbon disulfiide. and toluene: and halogenated solvents
such as methvl chloroform and methvlene chloride. These Il industrial'
chemicals identify those that have been measured indoors (workplace envi-

46.' ETS Ah!D HEART DISEASE
ronment) but also emitted' outdoors into the environment. lschemic heart
disease is mentioned under carbon monoxid'e and carbon disulfide.
ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
1'schemic heart disease is represented' clinically byy angina pectoris. myo-
cardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia. cardiogenic shock, andlsudd'en d'eath.
The epidemiologic and clinical literature on work-associated ischemic heart
disease consists of the following: Method A. mortality statistics: Method B.
exercise testing for anginall pain: and Method C. coronary blood flbvk indi-
cators. The plan is to state how each method has been applied to the concept
that ischemic heart disease is related to exposure to chemical substances in
the manufacture of industrial products. Although ETS levels are unlikely too
attain their corresponding TLN'. it is important to discuss the existing claim
that the mere presence of these chemicals is sufficient to suggest an associ-
ation between ETS and occupational heart disease.
Method A: Mortality Studies
There are scant data on heart disease in workers differentiated by expo-
sure or nonexposure to ETS in the workplace. Most published studies relate
to differences in spousal smoking habits. based on the premise that mortality
rates of nonsmokers might be influenced by smoking habits of their spouses.
In 1984. Schievelbein and:1 Richter (22) reviewed the available literature and
concluded that in concentrations of carbon monoxide and nicotine report-
edly present in ETS. it is unlikely for ETS exposure to~play any role in the
development and progression of ischemic heart: disease. The 1986 Reports
of the Surgeon General and the National Research Council. after examining
the available information. concluded than further studies on the potential
relationship between ETS exposure and' cardiovascular disease are needed
in order to determine whether ETS increases the risk of cardiovascular dis-
ease in general. and of ischemic heart disease in particular (8?3). Recent
epidemiologic studies were reviewed by Wexler (4); who~questionedi the re-
ported relationship ~ between household exposure to ETS and'heart disease.
Prospective (cohort)' and retrospective (case control) studies have been
conducted'on the potential relationship between ETS exposure and IHD in-
cidence. Although some spousal studies (smoker married to nonsmoker) re-
portla statistically significant association. most studies do not. Lee and his
collaborators (24) conducte& studies in Englan& consisting of administering
a questionnaire to 200 hospital patients and:1200 controls for eachigenderi and
age group. Patients with ischemic hearti disease an6 controls did not sho"any statistically
significant difference in ETS exposure based on smoking
habits of spouses. Exposure to ETS was also evaluated b~ aniindex of pres-
