title: Respirable particles and carcinogens in the air of delaware hospitality venues before and after a smoking ban.
abstract: How do the concentrations of indoor air pollutants known to increase risk of respiratory disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke change after a smoke-free workplace law? Real-time measurements were made of respirable particle (RSP) air pollution and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAH), in a casino, six bars, and a pool hall before and after a smoking ban. Secondhand smoke contributed 90% to 95% of the RSP air pollution during smoking, and 85% to 95% of the carcinogenic PPAH, greatly exceeding levels of these contaminants encountered on major truck highways and polluted city streets. This air-quality survey demonstrates conclusively that the health of hospitality workers and patrons is endangered by tobacco smoke pollution. Smoke-free workplace laws eliminate that hazard and provide health protection impossible to achieve through ventilation or air cleaning.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University School of Medicine, USA. repace@comcast.net
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Repace
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D003691:Delaware; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D010316:Particle Size; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution