Acute effects of second-hand smoke on complete blood count

Abstract

We assessed the acute effects of a 1-h exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) on complete blood count (CBC) markers in a controlled simulated bar/restaurant environment. Nineteen adult never-smokers completed a 1-h .exposure to SHS at bar/restaurant levels, and a 1-h exposure to normal room air. Blood samples were collected at the baseline at 30min during each exposure, and at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4h after each exposure. The values of white blood cells (WBC) at 1h (p=0.010), 3h (p=0.040), and 4h (p=0.008) following SHS were significantly increased compared with the baseline values. Also, there was a positive association between the WBC and cotinine levels (r=0.28, p=0.007). A 1-h exposure to SHS at bar/restaurant levels significantly increased the WBC for at least 4h following the exposure time. This effect of SHS on WBC has dose-response characteristics and should be considered to prescribing CBC.