Ø
introduction, Collaborating
Institute
Ø
Objectives
Ø Subject, STUDY TYPE
Ø Methodology
Ø RESULTS
Ø CONCLUSIONS
Introduction
Portuguese introduced tobacco cultivation
in India in 1605. Initially tobacco was grown in Kaira and Mehsana
districts of Gujarat and later spread to other areas of the country.
Commercial cultivation of Virginia tobacco in India in black soil was
commenced in the year 1920. Flue curing was first successfully done in
1928 at Guntur, AP. After 1930 India found a place on the world
tobacco map & during 1943-44, the excise duty on tobacco was
introduced and since then tobacco remained as the important of excise
revenue.With its rich agro- climatic diversity, India has the unique
position of growing all types of tobacco which are broadly classified
as:
|
1.
|
FCV Tobacco |
Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka |
|
2.
|
Beedi Tobacco |
Gujarat and
Nipani area of Karnataka |
|
3.
|
Cigar and
Cheroot |
Tamil Nadu and
West Bengal |
|
4.
|
Hookah Tobacco |
Assam, West
Bengal, Bihar, UP and Punjab |
|
5.
|
Chewing and
Snuff |
Tamil Nadu,
West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, UP, Punjab and Gujarat |
|
6.
|
Natu, Burley,
Lanka, HDBRG |
Andhra Pradesh |
|
7.
|
Pika Tobacco |
Orissa |
Source :
www.ctriindia.com
India stands second in the world as far as
production of all tobacco types constituting about 9% of total global
production. India produces 600 million Kg. of all types of tobacco in
4 lakh hector area. It is the fourth largest exporter and exports
about 123 million Kg. It is estimated that about seven lakh growers
and five lakh curers are engaged in tobacco cultivation. The chief
tobacco growing states in India are – Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, and Bihar.
India produces several types of tobacco, which fall under two
botanical species namely Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana
rustica. India grows both the species, but by far the largest area
is under N. tabacum.
Tobacco harvesters are occupationally exposed to
nicotine during tobacco cultivation. Occupational health problems
associated with tobacco cultivation are known as "Green Tobacco
Sickness" (GTS). It is mild and acute form of nicotine toxicity that
affects tobacco workers through direct dermal contact with tobacco
plants during cultivation and harvesting. Headache, nausea, vomiting,
giddiness, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness and sometimes
fluctuations in blood pressure or heart rate characterize it. These
symptoms are self-limited and relieved without medication. The GTS was
first reported from U.S.A. in 1970 as “Cropper’s sickness”. Later on
in 1974 it was reported by Gelbach et.al from USA as “Green
Tobacco Sickness”. NIOH reported as “Green Symptoms” among Indian
tobacco harvesters in 1976 & 1978. The prevalence of GTS among Indian
tobacco harvesters in these studies was found fairly high in the
harvesters of both the varieties i.e. non-Virginia (86.20%) and
Virginia (53.29%). It was also observed in these studies that
excretion rate of nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine in urine
were increased about 3 to 4 times among exposed workers. The chronic
health effects of tobacco smoking are well documented. These include
chronic bronchitis, emphysema, malignancy of lung, coronary heart
diseases, premature systole, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, decrease
in amplitude or inversion of T wave, rise in systolic and diastolic
blood pressure, thromboangitis obliterans, tobacco amblyopia and
reproductive effects like low birth weight, fetal abnormalities,
pre-maturity, still birth, and abortion. There are no epidemiological
studies evaluating chronic health effects of handling of green tobacco
leaves among tobacco agricultural workers. Therefore, the present
study has been carried out to detect chronic health effects due to
tobacco cultivation.
In
tobacco cultivation there are different type of processes like sawing,
transplanting of seedlings, topping of flowering buds, disbudding of
axillary buds, harvesting of plant, separation of leaves, curing,
grading etc. Usually the workers when they do not wear the gloves
during the various agricultural processes like topping of plant,
disbudding of axillary buds (suckers) and harvesting of plant, their
hands get smeared with thick sticky plant sap and they have to wash
their hands after each shift to remove this plant sap.
(Fig.-1
) which requires soap & kerosene.
Fig.1 : Disbudding of axillary buds and harvesting of tobacco plants
NIOH
also carried out intervention study at Gujarat in 1982. Two types of
hand gloves were provided to non-Virginia tobacco harvesters who
suffered from GTS. Use of both the types of gloves showed significant
reduction in prevalence of GTS and in nicotine absorption as reflected
by nicotine and cotinine excretion rate in urine. It was found that
the use of rubber gloves afforded protection among 93% of the
subjects, while with cotton gloves the proportion was some what less
78.5%. Both the types of gloves were found saturated and encrusted
with thick plant sap during harvesting and such gloves were difficult
to wash and clean after the use. Therefore an exploratory study with
disposable polyethylene gloves was carried out during the process of
disbudding of axillary buds. It was undertaken to find out efficacy of
polyethylene gloves. The polyethylene gloves were found to be elastic
enough to adapt the contours of the palm and fingers causing no
interference in the work performance and could be worn for the whole
day. The hands were also not smeared with thick sticky plant sap after
the process of disbudding of axillary bud. They were found comfortable
and acceptable to the workers, as it did not affect the productivity.
Cost-wise also they were cheaper but due the problem of recycling of
these smeared polyethylene gloves & also non biodegradable nature of
polyethylene, trial with various type of seamless knitted gloves have
been undertaken. There was need to test prototype and suggest suitable
gloves for different processes of cultivation to prevent the
absorption of nicotine through the skin.
Collaborating Institutes:
Tribhuvandas
Foundation, Anand, Ravishankar Maharaja Eye Hospital, Chikhodara, Self
Employed Women Association, Anand and Ahmedabad, Beedi Tobacco
Research Station (BTRS), Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), Anand,
Central Tobacco Research Institute (ICAR), Rajahmundri, A.P.
Objectives
1.
To assess the chronic health effects of green tobacco
leaves exposure during agricultural operation among tobacco
harvesters.
2.
To evaluate the effectiveness of various types of gloves by
recording work related symptoms & measuring the urinary excretion rate
of nicotine/cotinine among the tobacco harvesters.
3.
To suggest suitable gloves for prevention of absorption of
nicotine in different processes of tobacco cultivation.
4.
To create awareness about the occupational hazards of tobacco
cultivation & its prevention.
Subject,
STUDY TYPE
|
Subject Keys |
Tobacco
Cultivation, Chronic health effects, Green Tobacco Sickness,,
Nicotine Toxicity, Dermal absorption & Prevention
|
|
Study type |
EPI, FOR, HEA,
LAB |
Data Generation on Chronic Health Effects
of tobacco cultivation amongst Tobacco Harvesters:
The study populations for exposed and control subjects were selected
with the help of Tribhovandas Foundation, a Non Governmental
Organization (NGO) in Anand. Data regarding total population and
tobacco workers were obtained from each village. On the basis of this
sampling frame random samples from each selected village were
determined for estimated sample size. A total of 685 tobacco workers
and 655 comparable controls with respect to age, sex, and
socio-economic condition were examined from two villages where tobacco
agriculture was not carried out.
To detect the chronic health effects of tobacco cultivation, a
specially designed questionnaire was used which included tobacco
habits, occupational history and reproductive history. For each
subject general medical examination, ECG and visual acuity were
determined.
Intervention Study – Trial and Evaluation of
Effectiveness of Various Types of Gloves in Prevention of Nicotine
Absorption and Supply of Selected Gloves to the Workers:
Creation of
Awareness – Awareness amongst Tobacco Harvesters and Popularization of
Preventive Measures through NGOs and Govt. Agencies:
To create the awareness about the hazards of green
tobacco exposure and usefulness of gloves in its prevention, posters
in Telugu, Gujarati and Hindi and video films have been prepared. NGOs
& Government agencies (Tribhuvandas Foundation, Anand,
Ravishankar
Maharaja Eye Hospital, Chikhodara, Self Employed Women Association,
Anand and Ahmedabad, Beedi Tobacco Research Station (BTRS), Gujarat
Agricultural University (GAU), Anand, Central Tobacco Research
Institute (ICAR), Rajahmundri, A.P.) have been contacted for the
distribution of this educational and preventive material.
Results
Data
Generation on Chronic Health Effects of Nicotine Amongst Tobacco
Harvesters
A
Total of 685 tobacco workers and 655 comparable controls with
respect to age, sex and socio-economic condition were examined
from five villages of Anand and Tarapur Talukas of Gujarat
State. The distribution of exposed and control men and
women workers by age and smoking habits are given in Table-1 and
Table 2. Out of a total 685 exposed workers, 457 were men and
228 were women while out of 655 control workers 393 were men and
262 were women. The majority of exposed and control women
workers were non-smokers.
Findings related to hypertension among exposed and control
workers are given in Table-3. The criterion for the hypertension
was diastolic blood pressure equal to or more than 90 mm of Hg
or systolic blood pressure equal to or more than 140 mm of Hg.
The number of cases of hypertension is comparable in exposed and
control groups and the difference is statistically
non-significant. In Table-4 and 5 further analysis of
hypertension with respect to age group is given. Some results,
which are not comparable in exposed and control group may be due
to small number of sample size.
The E.C.G. findings are given in Table-6. The major observation
in both the groups was ST-T changes. However, statistically the
difference between both the groups was not significant.
Visual acuity was examined by Snellen’s chart (Table-7).
Subjects with visual acuity 6/18 to 6/60 were considered as
having low vision. The difference between exposed and control
men and women with low vision were non-significant and no case
of tobacco amblyopia was found in the exposed group. Exposed
subjects with visual acuity 6/18 to 6/60 were taken for the
detailed eye examination at Nutan Eye Clinic, Anand & Sarvajanik
Hospital Bochasan run by Ravishanker Maharaj Eye Hospital,
Chikhodara. Ophthalmologists examined a total 86 subjects, 59
men & 27 women. 56 subjects, 36 men and 20 women with refractive
errors were provided the spectacles.
The reproductive abnormalities among exposed and control women
workers are given in Table-8. Premature delivery, abortion and
stillbirth were recorded in both the groups. However the
difference in each condition was statistically non-significant
in both the groups.
Prevalence of GTS amongst women was 55.70% and men 42.66%.
Intervention
Study
To
prevent the absorption of nicotine by dermal route different
varieties of seamless knitted gloves like Cotton, Cotton with
PVC polka dots, Cotton + Polyester, only Polyester and Nylon
(Fig.2) were provided to 80 tobacco harvesters.
Fig.2
: Varieties of Seamless knitted gloves
(1) Cotton, (2) Cotton with PVC Polka
Dots. (3) Cotton + Polyester, (4) Polyester, (5) Nylon
The gloves were tested for their
usefulness and durability during various processes of tobacco
cultivation. Representative samples of urine have been collected
from each group of workers before the use of gloves and after 15
days of work with the use of gloves. Workers were given two
pairs of gloves initially and asked to wash the gloves same day
after the use. They were also asked to use clean and completely
dry gloves whenever they start the work next day. They were also
instructed if their gloves were torn they should immediately ask
for replacement with fresh pair. To estimate the nicotine and
its major metabolite cotinine from urine samples of tobacco
harvesters before and after the use of various type of gloves in
various process of tobacco
cultivation, method of urine sample extraction by solid
phase extraction (SPE) using Drug Test cartridge with mix mode
sorbent and reversed phase ion paired liquid chromatographic
method have been developed. Concentration of nicotine and its
major metabolite cotinine in representative urine samples of the
workers before & after the use of different varieties of gloves
is given in Table-9. Reduction of nicotine & cotinine in urine
samples was found after the use of all the varieties of the
gloves.
Fig.3
shows the gloves completely smeared with plant sap after the use
in both the shifts.
Fig. 3 : Gloves smeared with plant sap after the
work
Reports of all the varieties of gloves
were taken for their durability and usefulness from the
individual worker. Cotton and Cotton PVC Polka Dots gloves tore
from the thumb and fingertips after 3 to 4 working days and they
were replaced with new pair. Cotton + Polyester and Polyester
gloves became thin after repeated washing and plant sap entered
through the fingertips of the gloves after the week. It was
observed that Nylon gloves were neither torn from the fingertips
nor became thin after repeated wash and two pairs lasted for 30
working days. After the use of gloves, smearing of plant sap on
the hands, abrasions on the palm, peeling of the skin around the
nail (Fig.4) bitter taste in food due to plant sap and work
related symptoms like headache and giddiness were completely
prevented.
Fig.
4 : Clean hand after the use of nylon gloves
Use of gloves did not affect the speed of
the work. Workers expressed that nylon gloves would be very
useful for other processes of tobacco cultivation like
harvesting and separation of leaves. Some workers have even
shown willingness and readiness to work with gloves at their own
cost. Manufacturer from Ankleshwar, Gujarat, was asked to
manufacture seamless knitted nylon gloves of three different
sizes viz. small, medium and large. Uptill now, we have
distributed gloves to 7970 tobacco harvesters. Out of which 6729
workers of different villages of Anand and Kaira Districts,
Research Stations of BTRS, Anand, Gujarat State, with the help
of NGOs and Government Agencies and 1241 tobacco workers in
Research Stations of CTRI and other villages of West Godavari
District of Andhra Pradesh with the help of CTRI, Rajahmundry.
Awareness amongst tobacco harvesters
and popularization of preventive measures through NGOs and Govt.
agencies
To popularize the use of gloves among the
tobacco workers, posters in different languages i.e. Gujarati,
Telugu and Hindi and Video film on hazards of tobacco
cultivation and its prevention have been prepared. These posters
have been given to Tribhuvandas Foundation (TF) who has been
engaged in the health care of village population of 640 villages
of Anand and Kaira Districts, SEWA, Anand and Ahmedabad, Beedi
Tobacco Research Station (GAU) and Education and Extension
Department of GAU, Ahmedabad, CTRI, Rajahmundry, A.P., for the
popularization of preventive measures.
Table-1
Distribution of Exposed and Control Men Workers by Age
and Smoking Habits
|
Age group
(Yrs)
|
Total No. of
workers |
Smoking
habits |
|
Non-smoker |
Smoker |
Occasional
smoker |
Ex-smoker |
|
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
|
15-19 |
15 |
15 |
10
(66.67) |
11
(73.3) |
4
(26.67) |
3
(20.0) |
- |
1
(6.7) |
1
(6.66) |
- |
|
20-29 |
101 |
77 |
38
(37.62) |
45
(58.4) |
56
(55.45) |
28
(36.4) |
1
(0.99) |
1
(1.3) |
6
(5.94) |
3
(3.9) |
|
30-39 |
131 |
107 |
29
(22.14) |
27
(25.2) |
90
(68.70) |
66
(61.7) |
1
(0.76) |
2
(1.9) |
11
(8.40) |
12
(11.2) |
|
40-49 |
99 |
97 |
12
(12.12) |
27
(27.8) |
73
(73.74) |
61
(62.9) |
- |
- |
14
(14.14) |
9
(9.3) |
|
50-59 |
40 |
45 |
3
(7.5) |
5
(11.1) |
33
(82.50) |
27
(60.0) |
- |
- |
4
(10.0) |
13
(28.9) |
|
60-69 |
48 |
41 |
3
(6.25) |
3
(7.3) |
39
(81.25) |
26
(63.4) |
- |
- |
6
(12.5) |
12
(29.3) |
|
70+ |
23 |
11 |
1
(4.35) |
2
(18.2) |
19
(82.61) |
8
(72.7) |
- |
- |
3
(13.04) |
1
(9.1) |
|
Total |
457 |
393 |
96
(21.01) |
120
(30.53) |
314
(68.71) |
219
(55.73) |
2
(0.44) |
4
(1.02) |
45
(9.84) |
50
(12.72) |
E
= Exposed; C= Control Figures in
parenthesis indicate percentage.
Table-2 Distribution of Exposed and Control Women Workers
by Age and Smoking Habits
|
Age group
(Yrs) |
Total No.
of workers |
Smoking
habits |
|
|
|
Non-smoker |
Smoker |
Ex-smoker |
|
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
|
15-19 |
2 |
2 |
2
(100.0) |
2
(100.0) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
20-29 |
38 |
44 |
38
(100.0) |
44
(100.0) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
30-39 |
68 |
75 |
68
(100.0) |
75
(100.0) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
40-49 |
47 |
67 |
47
(100.0) |
66
(98.5) |
- |
1
(1.5) |
- |
- |
|
50-59 |
41 |
48 |
38
(92.68) |
46
(95.8) |
1
(2.44) |
|
2
(4.88) |
2
(4.2) |
|
60-69 |
27 |
23 |
27
(100.0) |
23
(100.0) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
70+ |
5 |
3 |
5
(100.0) |
3
(100.0) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total |
228 |
262 |
225
(98.68) |
259
(98.86) |
1
(0.44) |
1
(0.38) |
2
(0.88) |
2
(0.76) |
E = Exposed;
C= Control Figures in parenthesis indicate
percentage.
Table-3 Findings related to hypertension among exposed and
control workers.
Workers examined
|
Normal |
Hypertension
Systolic³140
and/or
Diastolic³90 |
|
|
Total |
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
|
Exposed |
685 |
457
(66.72) |
228
(33.28) |
376
(82.28) |
187
(82.02) |
81
(17.72) |
41
(17.98) |
|
Control |
655 |
393
(60.0) |
262
(40.0) |
323
(82.19) |
214
(81.68) |
70
(17.81) |
48
(18.32) |
E = Exposed; C= Control
Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage.
Table-4
Detailed Analysis
Related to Hypertension in Exposed & Control Men Workers According
to Age group
|
Age
Group
(Yrs) |
Total No. of
Exposed & Control workers |
Normal |
Total cases
of Hypertension (Systolic
³
140 or Diastolic
³
90) |
Mild
(Systolic 140
to 159 Diastolic 90 to 99) |
Moderate
(Systolic 160
to 179
Diastolic
100 to 109) |
Severe
(Systolic 180
to 209
Diastolic 110
to 119) |
Very severe
(Systolic 210
or Higher
Diastolic 120
or Higher |
|
|
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
|
15-19 |
15 |
15 |
15
(100) |
13
(86.67) |
- |
2
(13.33) |
- |
2
(13.33) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
20-29 |
101 |
77 |
93
(92.08) |
68
(88.31) |
8
(7.92) |
9
(11.69) |
7
(6.93) |
9
(11.69) |
1
(0.99) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
30-39 |
131 |
107 |
117
(89.31) |
93
(86.92) |
14
(10.69) |
14
(13.08) |
13
(9.92) |
10
(9.35) |
1
(0.77) |
3
(2.80) |
- |
1
(0.93) |
- |
- |
|
40-49 |
99 |
97 |
83
(83.84) |
79
(81.44) |
16
(16.16) |
18
(18.56) |
14
(14.14) |
12
(12.37) |
2
(2.02) |
3
(3.09) |
- |
2
(2.06) |
- |
1
(1.03) |
|
50-59 |
40 |
45 |
29
(72.5) |
38
(84.44) |
11
(27.50) |
7
(15.56) |
7
(17.50) |
6
(13.33) |
3
(7.50) |
1
(2.22) |
1
(2.5) |
- |
- |
- |
|
60-69 |
48 |
41 |
30
(62.5) |
25
(60.98) |
18
(37.50) |
16
(39.02) |
9
(18.75) |
13
(31.71) |
6
(12.50) |
1
(2.44) |
1
(2.08) |
2
(4.88) |
2
(4.17) |
- |
|
70+ |
23 |
11 |
9
(39.13) |
7
(63.64) |
14
(60.87) |
4
(36.36) |
8
(34.78) |
4
(36.36) |
5
(21.74) |
-
|
1
(4.35) |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total |
457 |
393 |
376
(82.28) |
323
(82.19) |
81
(17.72) |
70
(17.81) |
58
(12.69) |
56
(14.25) |
18
(3.94) |
8
(2.04) |
3
(0.65) |
5
(1.27) |
2
(0.44) |
1
(0.25) |
E = Exposed;
C= Control Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage
Table-5
Detailed Analysis Related to Hypertension in Exposed &
Control Women Workers According to Age group
|
Age
Group
(Yrs) |
Total No. of
Exposed & Control workers |
Normal |
Total cases
of
Hypertension (Systolic
³
140 or Diastolic
³
90) |
Mild
(Systolic
140 to 159 Diastolic 90 to 99) |
Moderate
(Systolic
160
to 179
Diastolic
100 to 109) |
Severe
(Systolic
180
to 209
Diastolic
110
to 119) |
|
|
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
E |
C |
|
15-19 |
2 |
2 |
2
(100.00) |
2
(100.00) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
20-29 |
38 |
44 |
36
(94.74) |
39
(88.6) |
2
(5.26) |
5
(11.36) |
1
(2.63) |
3
(6.82) |
- |
2
(4.55) |
1
(2.63) |
- |
|
30-39 |
68 |
75 |
65
(95.59) |
66
(88.00) |
3
(4.41) |
9
(12.00) |
2
(2.94) |
8
(10.67) |
- |
1
(1.33) |
1
(1.47) |
- |
|
40-49 |
47 |
67 |
41
(87.23) |
52
(77.61) |
6
(12.77) |
15
(22.39) |
3
(6.38) |
13
(19.40) |
2
(4.26) |
2
(2.99) |
1
(2.13) |
- |
|
50-59 |
41 |
48 |
27
(65.85) |
37
(77.08) |
14
(34.15) |
11
(22.92) |
11
(26.83) |
9
(18.75) |
2
(4.88) |
1
(2.08) |
1
(2.44) |
1
(2.08) |
|
60-69 |
27 |
23 |
14
(51.85) |
18
(78.26) |
13
(48.15) |
5
(21.74) |
9
(33.33) |
2
(8.70) |
2
(7.41) |
2
(8.70) |
2
(7.41) |
1
(4.35) |
|
70+ |
5 |
3 |
2
(40.00) |
-- |
3
(60.00) |
3
(100.0) |
2
(40.0) |
- |
1
(20.0) |
3
(100.0) |
-
|
- |
|
Total |
228 |
262 |
187 (82.02) |
214
(81.68) |
41
(17.98) |
48
(18.32) |
28
(12.28) |
35
(13.36) |
7
(3.07) |
11
(4.20) |
6
(2.63) |
2
(0.76) |
E = Exposed;
C= Control Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage
Table-6
ECG Findings ST-T
changes in Exposed and Control Workers
|
Groups |
Workers examined |
No. of workers with ST-T Changes |
|
Total |
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
|
Exposed |
678 |
454
(66.96) |
224
(33.04) |
6
(1.32) |
18
(8.03) |
|
Control |
655 |
391
(59.69) |
262
(40.31) |
11
(2.81) |
15
(5.72) |
Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage
Table-7 Findings Related to Visual Acuity in Exposed and Control
Workers
Workers examined
|
Visual Acuity
6/6 – 6/12 |
Visual Acuity
6/18 – 6/60 |
|
|
Total |
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
Exposed
|
685 |
454
(66.72) |
228
(33.28) |
332
(73.13) |
169
(74.13) |
122
(26.87) |
59
(25.87) |
|
Control |
655 |
393
(60.00) |
262
(40.00) |
297
(75.57) |
178
(67.94) |
96
(24.43) |
84
(32.06) |
Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage
Table-8
Findings Related to Reproductive Abnormalities in
Exposed and Control Women workers.
|
Women workers |
Reproductive abnormalities |
|
Premature deliveries |
Abortion |
Still birth |
Exposed
|
228 |
17
(7.45) |
23
(10.08) |
20
(8.77) |
|
Control |
262 |
15
5.72) |
41
(15.64) |
13
(4.96) |
Figures in parenthesis
indicate percentages
Table-9
Concentration of nicotine and cotinine in urine samples
of tobacco harvesters before and after the use of varieties of
gloves (Mean ±
sem)
|
Variety of Gloves |
No. of Subjects |
Concentration of Nicotine(
µg/ml) |
|
Concentration of cotinine(
µg/ml) |
|
|
|
M |
W |
Total |
Without |
With |
%
Reduction |
Without |
With |
% Reduction |
|
Nylon |
3 |
18 |
21 |
3.58
±
0.81 |
1.42±
0.37 |
60 |
7.32±1.09 |
3.45±0.65 |
53 |
|
Cotton |
6 |
9 |
15 |
2.59±0.62 |
1.29±0.29 |
50 |
5.54±1.14 |
2.98±0.46 |
46 |
|
CPD |
2 |
4 |
6 |
3.74±1.60 |
2.1±0.77 |
44 |
6.56±1.51 |
4.32±1.08 |
34 |
|
CP |
0 |
7 |
7 |
1.83±0.64 |
1.11±0.38 |
39 |
2.68±0.50 |
1.53±0.50 |
43 |
Polyester
|
7 |
2 |
9 |
1.63±0.64 |
0.91±0.33 |
44 |
3.96±0.94 |
2.25±0.60 |
43 |
|
Total |
18 |
40 |
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conclusions
