[Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in public places in Florence, Italy].
OBJECTIVE
Measurements of the environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in public places in Florence. This study was part of the first European multicenter project, intended to measure ETS exposure in public places in a number of European Cities (Florence, Barcelona, Paris, Oporto, Athens, Wien and Orebro).


METHODS
Nicotine vapour phase was measured using passive samplers, composed of a sodium bisulphate treated filter held in a plastic cassette with a windscreen on one side. The filters were analysed at the Laboratory of the Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Spain, by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).


METHODS
Nicotine concentration (in microg/m3) by public place, by smoking policy, and, for restaurants with separated areas, by smoking and non-smoking section.


METHODS
Nicotine measurements were conducted in 5 schools, 3 university departments, 5 hospitals, 1 railway station, 1 airport, 7 bars, 7 restaurants, and 4 discotheques in Florence.


RESULTS
The average nicotine concentration in discotheques and restaurants were respectively 26.78 microg/m3 and 2.32 microg/m3. In the other public places the concentration was about 1 microg/m3. In smoke-free public places the average concentration was 0.85 microg/m3; in public places where smoking is allowed concentration was higher (11.53 microg/m3). In the smoking section and non-smoking section of restaurants with separated areas the average concentration was respectively 2.54 and 2.14 microg/m3.


CONCLUSIONS
The highest nicotine concentrations were recorded in discos and restaurants. A smoke-free public place is effective in reducing ETS exposure. Smoking and non-smoking sections in restaurants without a separate ventilation system seem not to solve ETS exposure.
UO Epidemiologia ambientale occupazionale, Centro per lo studio e la prevenzione oncologica, Istituto scientifico della Regione Toscana, Firenze, Italy. g.gorini@cspo.it
Giuseppe
G
Gorini
Maria Cristina
MC
Fondelli
Maria Josè
MJ
Lopez
Joan
J
Salles
Eulàlia
E
Serrahima
Francesc
F
Centrich
Adele Seniori
AS
Costantini
Manel
M
Nebot
D000393:Air Pollutants; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012931:Social Environment; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace
D000393:Air Pollutants; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution