Abstract
Markers for environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were monitored during and after smoking periods in 28 homes in Perth, Western Australia. Respirable suspended particulates (RSP), nicotine, solanesol and 3-vinylpyridine were investigated as markers, as well as the efficiency of different pore size membrane filters to trap ETS-related particulate matter. The average level of RSP was 223.0 μg m-3 and the average level of solanesol was 5.2 μg m-3 for the 0.5 μm pore size membrane filter; the levels of nicotine and 3-vinylpyridine were 17.9 μg m-3 and 4.1 μg m-3, respectively. Nicotine levels were in the highest range of the levels reported in overseas studies, while RSP were considered similar to the levels reported in overseas smokers' homes. There were no statistically significant differences between the levels of RSP (p > 0.01) and solanesol (p > 0.01) on the different pore size membrane filters. However, the levels of RSP and solanesol were slightly higher for the smaller 0.5 μm pore size membrane filters.