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Copyright Decker Periodicals, Inc. Sep/Oct 2001

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effect of passive smoking on odour identification in children has rarely been reported. This study assessed the ability of such young subjects to identify a variety of odours. METHODS: The study population consisted of 20 children, 10 who were exposed to passive smoke at home and 10 with nonsmoking parents. Ten odourants were tested: vinegar, ammonia, peppermint, roses, bleach, vanilla, cough drops, turpentine, licorice, and mothballs. Each child was presented with five test trays containing all 10 odourants in random order. RESULTS: Of the total of 500 odours presented, the control group correctly identified 396 (79%) and the study group identified 356 (71%) (p < .005). The study group tended to misidentify 4 of the 10 odourants tested, namely, vanilla, roses, mothballs, and cough drops-56 of 200 (28%), compared with 96 of 200 (48%) in the control group. This was a highly significant finding (p < .0005). CONCLUSION: This work demonstrated that children exposed to passive smoke have difficulty identifying odours in comparison with children raised in relatively smoke-free environments. The identification of four odourants, vanilla, roses, mothballs, and cough drops, was particularly diminished in this study group.

Details

Title
Effects of passive smoking on odour identification in children
Author
Nageris, Benny; Braverman, Itzhak; Hadar, Tuvia; Hansen, Maynard C; et al
Pages
263-5
Publication year
2001
Publication date
Sep/Oct 2001
Publisher
Sage Publications Ltd.
ISSN
03816605
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
218271321
Copyright
Copyright Decker Periodicals, Inc. Sep/Oct 2001