Open AccessAssessment of Urinary Cotinine as a Marker of Nicotine Absorption from Tobacco Leaves: A Study on Tobacco Farmers in Malaysia
Author(s) -
Onuki Mayumi,
Yokoyama Kazuhito,
Kimura Kaoru,
Sato Hajime,
Nordin Rusli Bin,
Naing Lin,
Morita Yoko,
Sakai Tadashi,
Kobayashi Yasuki,
Araki Shunichi
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.45.140
Subject(s) - cotinine , nicotine , environmental health , medicine , tobacco use , tobacco leaf , urinary system , tobacco smoke , urine , toxicology , biology , engineering , agricultural engineering , population
Assessment of Urinary Cotinine as a Marker of Nicotine Absorption from Tobacco Leaves: A Study on Tobacco Farmers in Malaysia: Mayumi Onuki, et al. Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo —To assess dermal absorption of nicotine from tobacco leaves in relation to Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS), urinary cotinine concentrations were measured in 80 male tobacco‐growing farmers and in 40 healthy males (controls) who did not handle wet tobacco leaves in Kelantan, Malaysia. Among non‐smokers, urinary cotinine levels in farmers were significantly higher than those of controls; farmers with urinary cotinine of 50 ng/ml/m 2 or above showed eye symptoms more frequently than those below this level (p<0.05). Farmers who did not wear protective equipment had subjective symptoms more frequently than those who used the equipment (p<0.05); some of these symptoms were seen more frequently in organophosphate (Tamaron) users than in non‐users. As tobacco farmers evidence a risk of nicotine poisoning from tobacco leaves, assessment including GTS together with effects of pesticides will be necessary.