Strength of smoke-free air laws and indoor air quality.
BACKGROUND
Smoke-free air laws have been implemented in many Kentucky communities to protect the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure. The impact of different strengths of smoke-free air laws on indoor air quality was assessed.


METHODS
Indoor air quality in hospitality venues was assessed in seven communities before and after comprehensive smoke-free air laws and in two communities only after partial smoke-free air laws. One community was measured three times: before any smoke-free air law, after the initial partial law, and after the law was strengthened to cover all workplaces and public places with few exemptions. Real-time measurements of particulate matters with 2.5 mum aerodynamic diameter or smaller (PM(2.5)) were obtained.


RESULTS
When comprehensive smoke-free air laws were implemented, indoor PM(2.5) concentrations decreased significantly from 161 to 20 microg/m3. In one community that implemented a comprehensive smoke-free law after initially passing a partial law, indoor PM(2.5) concentrations were 304 microg/m3 before the law, 338 microg/m3 after the partial law, and 9 microg/m3 after the comprehensive law.


CONCLUSIONS
The study clearly demonstrated that partial smoke-free air laws do not improve indoor air quality. A significant linear trend indicated that PM(2.5) levels in the establishments decreased with fewer numbers of burning cigarettes. Only comprehensive smoke-free air laws are effective in reducing indoor air pollution from secondhand tobacco smoke.
Graduate School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, 28 Yeungun-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul 110-460, Korea. cleanair@snu.ac.kr
Kiyoung
K
Lee
Ellen J
EJ
Hahn
Heather E
HE
Robertson
Seongjik
S
Lee
Suzann L
SL
Vogel
Mark J
MJ
Travers
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
D052638:Particulate Matter