Ergonomics

Abstract

Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) have been linked with cardiac disease and death. Exposure to particulate matter from various sources such as tobacco smoke has been shown to cause alterations in HRV. This study investigated the effects of occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on HRV. Air monitoring was conducted in three bars in which smoking was permitted and one bar where smoking was not permitted. Pre- and post-work shift heart rate monitoring was conducted on volunteer staff from the establishments. Heart rate variability parameters, including SDNN and RMSSD, were calculated, and the differences between pre- and post-shift values were plotted and analyzed with respect to ETS exposure. Post-shift minus pre-shift values of SDNN and RMSSD significantly decreased with exposure to ETS (p < 0.05). Occupational exposure to ETS may decrease heart rate variability.

Keywords:

• air monitoring
• environmental tobacco smoke
• heart rate variability

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank the establishments and their employees who volunteered to participate in the study. We also thank the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for loaning equipment essential to the study.

Column Editor James D. McGlothin