Publication
Title
Levels of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in raw wastewater as an innovative perspective for investigating population-wide exposure to third-hand smoke
Author
Abstract
Tobacco smoking is the major cause of many chronic diseases, especially lung cancer. Knowledge about population-wide tobacco use and exposure is essential to characterise its burden on public health and evaluate policy efficacy. Obtaining such knowledge remains challenging with current methods (e.g., surveys, biomonitoring) but can be achievable with wastewater analysis, a promising tool of retrieving epidemiology information. This study examined population-wide exposure to tobacco toxicants and carcinogens through wastewater analysis and explored relationships among these chemicals. Cotinine, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, anabasine, anatabine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) were analysed in samples from Greece, Switzerland and Belgium, where tobacco control policies are different. Measured per-capita mass loads were ranked as: nicotine biomarkers >> tobacco markers > carcinogens. Relationships between nicotine biomarkers and tobacco markers implied substantial use of non-tobacco nicotine items besides tobacco products. Geographic profiles of tobacco markers revealed higher levels in Geneva and Athens than Geraardsbergen and Ninove. Environmental thirdhand smoke led to NNK detection, with elevated levels observed in Athens where indoor smoking is widespread, posing potential health risks to the population. Our novel outcomes are relevant for public health authorities as they provide indications about external exposure and can thus be used to plan and evaluate tobacco control policies.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Scientific reports. - London, 2011, currens
Publication
London : Nature Publishing Group , 2018
ISSN
2045-2322
DOI
10.1038/S41598-018-31324-6
Volume/pages
8 (2018) , 9 p.
Article Reference
13254
ISI
000443745700036
Pubmed ID
30185880
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Assessing population health from exposure to tobacco-specific carcinogens in Belgium using an innovative wastewater-based epidemiology approach (APOLLO).
Chemical information mining of wastewater – From human exposure to environmental fate of emerging plasticizers and flame retardants
The rise and threat of new psychoactive substances: integrated research to obtain evidence-based information on their properties and actual use.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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