Characteristics of women exposed and unexposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in a general population sample of North Italy (Po River Delta epidemiological study)

To define qualitative and quantitative categories of exposure to environmen tal tobacco smoke (ETS) and to assess possible differences for life-style f actors between exposed and unexposed women, we studied 867 nonsmoking women (8-73 aged), selected from a general population sample living in the Po De lta area (near Venice, North Italy). Information was collected by a standar dized questionnaire. ETS exposure at home, at work or elsewhere was conside red. There was a prevalence of ETS exposure of 46% in the whole sample; the rate had a negative association with age. Exposure to ETS occurred more fr equently at home, either singly (56%) or in combination with school/work an d other places (75%). Exposed women were significantly younger, taller and lighter than those unexposed. Logistic regression on 20+ aged women showed that single-separated-widowed, workers, women living in a rental house, and women with a central forced air heating were significantly more exposed to ETS. Crowding index (n inhabitants/n rooms of the house) was significantly higher in those exposed. These results indicate that ETS exposure is quite frequent in Italian women and that some life-style factors (e.g. marital s tatus or occupational status or some home characteristics), should be consi dered in the study of relationship between passive smoking and respiratory health.