Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in airliners--a health hazard evaluation

Some passengers and airline attendants have expressed concern about exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in commercial airlines. Irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, odor, and personal sensitivities are often the bases of complaints. Previous studies demonstrate low concentrations of materials, including ETS. Attendants fly some 800 h per year, passengers much less. Based on previous studies and duration of exposures, the absorbed dose of ETS is less than a cigarette equivalent per year. Nicotine absorption of 0.2 to 0.3 mg in 8-10 h flights has been reported as unlikely to have physiologic effects. The retained 'dose' in relation to the hypotheses of risks to health based on the conflicting results of studies on 'passive smoking' are discussed. There are additional confounding factors in aircraft. We consider segregation into smoking and nonsmoking zones to be reasonably effective in meeting the preferences of passengers.