Acrolein Exposure in Hookah Smokers and Non-Smokers Exposed to Hookah Tobacco Secondhand Smoke Implications for Regulating Hookah Tobacco Products

• Published in: Nicotine & tobacco research Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 492 - 501
• Main Authors: Kassem, Nada O.F., Kassem, Noura O., Liles, Sandy, Zarth, Adam T., Jackson, Sheila R., Daffa, Reem M., Chatfield, Dale A., Carmella, Steven G., Hecht, Stephen S., Hovell, Melbourne F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 06-03-2018
• Subjects: Acetylcysteine - analogs & derivatives; Acetylcysteine - urine; Acrolein - adverse effects; Acrolein - analysis; Acrolein - urine; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Non-Smokers - legislation & jurisprudence; Original Investigations; Smoking Water Pipes - standards; Tobacco Products - adverse effects; Tobacco Products - analysis; Tobacco Products - standards; Tobacco Smoke Pollution - adverse effects; Tobacco Smoke Pollution - analysis; Tobacco Smoke Pollution - legislation & jurisprudence; Tobacco, Waterpipe - adverse effects; Tobacco, Waterpipe - analysis; Water Pipe Smoking - adverse effects; Water Pipe Smoking - legislation & jurisprudence; Water Pipe Smoking - urine; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1462-2203; 1469-994X
• DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx133

Abstract
Introduction
Acrolein is a highly ciliatoxic agent, a toxic respiratory irritant, a cardiotoxicant, and a possible carcinogen present in tobacco smoke including hookah tobacco.
Methods
105 hookah smokers and 103 non-smokers attended exclusively hookah smoking social events at either a hookah lounge or private home, and provided urine samples the morning of and the morning after the event. Samples were analyzed for 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3-HPMA), a metabolite of acrolein.
Results
Geometric mean (GM) urinary 3-HPMA levels in hookah smokers and non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) increased significantly, 1.41 times, 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.74 and 1.39 times, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.67, respectively, following a hookah social event. The highest increase (1.68 times, 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.45; p = 0.007) in 3-HPMA post a hookah social event was among daily hookah smokers (GM, from 1991 pmol/mg to 3348 pmol/mg). Pre-to-post event change in urinary 3-HPMA was significantly positively correlated with pre-to-post event change in urinary cotinine among hookah smokers at either location of hookah event, (ρ = 0.359, p = 0.001), and among non-smokers in hookah lounges (ρ = 0.369, p = 0.012).
Conclusions
Hookah tobacco smoke is a source of acrolein exposure. Findings support regulating hookah tobacco products including reducing humectants and sugar additives, which are precursors of acrolein under certain pyrolysis conditions. We suggest posting health warning signs for indoor smoking in hookah lounges, and encouraging voluntary bans of smoking hookah tobacco in private homes.
Implications
Our study is the first to quantify the increase in acrolein exposure in hookah smokers and non-smokers exposed to exclusively hookah tobacco SHS at hookah social events in homes or hookah lounges. Our findings provide additional support for regulating hookah tobacco product content, protecting non-smokers’ health by posting health warning signs for indoor smoking in hookah lounges, and encouraging home bans on hookah tobacco smoking to safeguard vulnerable residents.