PASSIVE CIGARETTE-SMOKE, COAL HEATING, AND RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS OF NONSMOKING WOMEN IN CHINA

In this study we evaluated data from a sample of 973 never-smoking wom en, ages 20-40, who worked in three similar textile mills in Anhui Pro vince, China. We compared prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms acr oss homes with and without coal heating and homes with different numbe rs of smokers. Multiple logistic regression models that controlled for age, job title and mill of employment were also estimated. Respirator y symptoms were associated with combined exposure to passive cigarette smoke and coal heating. Effects of passive cigarette smoke and coal h eating on respiratory symptoms appeared to be nearly additive, suggest ing a dose-response relationship between respiratory symptoms and home indoor air pollution from these two sources. The prevalence of chest illness, cough, phlegm, and shortness of breath (but not wheeze) was s ignificantly elevated for women living in homes with both smokers and coal heating.