Researchers tested the urine of 18 nonsmokers before and after a four-hour visit to a casino where smoking was allowed. The researchers tested for NNK through its urinary metabolites, NNAL and NNAL-Gluc. Previous animal studies have shown that NNK is a major pulmonary carcinogen in rodents and a probable human carcinogen.

The research showed that levels of NNK metabolites increased 112 percent in nonsmokers after they spent time in the designated smoking areas of the casino.

"Environmental tobacco smoke in restaurants, bars, and casinos presents a potential health hazard to employees and non-smoking patrons," said lead author Kristin Anderson, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Public Health and Cancer Center member. "However, further studies are needed to examine the long-term health effects, on employees and patrons, of transient exposure to environmental tobacco smoke."

The study's findings are published in the Dec. 22 issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention.

Anderson, K., et al. (2003) Metabolites of a Tobacco-Specific Lung Carcinogen in Nonsmoking Casino Patrons. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, 12(12): 1544-1546.

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