[Indoor air pollution caused by cigarette smoke in public places in Portugal].
OBJECTIVE
There have been few studies investigating the level of cigarette smoke pollution to which people in several public and private places are exposed. The purpose of this study was to quantify the level of air pollution produced by cigarette smoking in workplaces and leisure settings.


METHODS
The study was carried out in Braga, Portugal, in 2005. Nicotine content in indoor air was measured using passive monitors containing a 37-mm diameter filter inside treated with sodium bisulphate. The monitors were installed in predefined public workplaces and leisure settings. Median nicotine content was estimated for each place studied.


RESULTS
Nicotine was detected in 85% of the samples. Extremely high air contamination levels were found in discos with a median of 82.26 microg/m3, ranging between 5.79 and 106.31 microg/m3. Workplaces of public administration and university buildings showed the lowest nicotine content.


CONCLUSIONS
The study findings confirm the need to promote the implementation of smoke-free policies in workplaces and leisure settings to protect workers' health and as a reinforcing measure of an environment which facilitates smokers to quit smoking.
Precioso
José
J
Instituto de Educação e Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal. precioso@iep.uminho.pt
Lopez
Maria José
MJ
Calheiros
José M
JM
Macedo
Manuel
M
Ariza
Carles
C
Sanchez
Francesca
F
Schiaffino
Anna
A
Fernández
Esteve
E
Nebot
Manel
M
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis; D011174:Portugal; D017149:Private Sector; D011633:Public Facilities; D017150:Public Sector; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D014495:Universities; D017132:Workplace
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D009538:Nicotine