WEAKNESSES IN RECENT RISK ASSESSMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO-SMOKE

Epidemiological evidence of increased lung cancer risk in never smokers married to smokers has been used to estimate annual deaths from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Such estimates are very much higher than those based on dosimetric considerations and misleadingly ignore major weaknesses in the epidemiology. Some authors overestimate total lung cancers occurring in never smokers. There is no scientific basis for extending risk assessments to include deaths from other causes, from workplace exposure to ETS, and among ex-smokers. Recent risk assessments by Well, by Repace and Lowrey, and by Kawachi and colleagues are given particular attention.