Abstract
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a mixture of both gaseous and particulate matters with specific odor which affects pleasant and/or irritating sensation of human. Use of the ETS odor as a marker potentially gives a solution for evaluating a passive smoking event of non-smokers. Then, this study aimed to develop a methodology for real-time monitoring of personal exposure to ETS employing potable semiconductor monitors for odor and TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds). Responses of commercially available three portable devices commercially available in Japan to the ETS were investigated in a smoker's room of an apartment house. As a reference, SPM concentrations were also measured by co-located Dust monitor. The results showed the portable monitors, except one model, successfully responded to ETS generated by smoking in indoor environment and the responses were not affected by the room mixing condition. However, the monitors were not specific to ETS; they also responded to volatile compounds originated from consumer products such as perfume and antiperspirant. Therefore, the use of gas monitor alone is not preferable for identifying exposure events to ETS. Meanwhile, one monitor, which did not respond to ETS, had sensitivity to the non-ETS gases. Even though the Dust monitor was also not specific to ETS, simultaneous responses with semiconductor monitors may help to identify the ETS-oriented signals. Therefore, the combination with different monitors may reduce false detections by separating ETS and non-ETS responses in monitoring data.
