Validity and reliability of self-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in work offices

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is an occupational carcinogen. Large companies often examine ETS exposure by employee surveys. However, reliable and valid self-report measures have been lacking. This study compared validity and reliability of various self-report measures. One hundred and seven nonsmokers from 11 Dutch worksites were interviewed. Three self-report measures were correlated with nicotine concentrations collected with area monitors in nonsmokers' offices. Nicotine concentrations averaged 12.7 micrograms/m. The item "How much tobacco smoke, on average, is there during a day in your work office?" correlated highest with nicotine concentrations (r = 0.65; P < 0.001) and produced the lowest standard error of measurement. It was concluded that this simple self-report item may be a valid measure to assess the reach and effectiveness of worksite smoking policies.