Differing Risks from SHS
2007
Research on Secondhand Smoke and Deforestation Updates
publication
Hypothesis
Black children may process secondhand smoke differently than white children.
Conclusion
Black children have higher cotinine levels than white children, which may explain their increased risk for tobacco-related health issues.
Supporting Evidence
- Black children had blood serum cotinine concentrations that were 32% higher than white children.
- In black children with asthma, hair cotinine levels were up to 4 times higher than in white children with asthma.
Takeaway
Black kids might be affected by secondhand smoke more than white kids, which could make them sick more often.
Limitations
More research is needed to establish definite associations.
Participant Demographics
Black and white children.
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