Open AccessInvestigation of the Relation between Carbon Monoxide Exposure/Intoxication and Tobacco‐Free Narghile Products
Author(s) -
Turedi S,
Aksut N,
Tatli O,
Karaca Y,
Turkmen S,
Mentese A,
Gunduz A
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791602300203
Subject(s) - carboxyhemoglobin , medicine , smoke , cigarette smoking , cigarette smoke , tobacco smoke , passive smoking , toxicology , carbon monoxide , environmental health , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , meteorology , biology , catalysis
Objectives Use of tobacco‐based narghiles may have potentially fatal consequences, such as carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication. However, there are only limited studies on the effects on human health and CO levels of tobacco‐free narghile products. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tobacco‐free narghile consumption on carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels and whether this would cause CO intoxication in active and passive narghile users. Design Observational study. Methods Four hundred ninety‐nine individuals exposed to tobacco‐free narghile smoke were divided into four groups; Group I: active narghile smokers, and non‐cigarette smokers, Group II: active narghile smokers and active cigarette smokers, Group III: passive narghile smokers and non‐cigarette smokers and Group IV: passive narghile smokers and active cigarette smokers. Fifty‐nine healthy volunteers were enrolled as control groups (Group V, non‐cigarette smoker controls, and Group VI, cigarette smoker controls). COHb levels were compared among the groups. Results Mean pre‐exposure % COHb levels for groups I‐IV were 2.61± 1.46, 3.00±1.37, 2.09±1.45 and 3.00±2.13, and post‐exposure % COHb levels for groups were 3.45±1.92, 4.17±2.01, 2.60±1.66 and 4.50±2.32, respectively. Control groups (V‐VI) % COHb levels were 0.90±0.82 and 1.60±0.85, respectively. COHb levels rose significantly after exposure to tobacco‐free narghile smoke in all groups (p<0.001). COHb levels in all groups were higher than those in healthy individuals. Additionally, 12.8% of those exposed to tobacco‐free narghile smoke had toxic COHb levels. Conclusion The use of tobacco‐free narghile products represents a potential danger, and COHb levels in active and passive smokers can reach intoxication levels. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2016;23:17‐27)