An experimental investigation of tobacco smoke pollution in cars.
BACKGROUND
Tobacco smoke pollution (TSP) has been identified as a serious public health threat. Although the number of jurisdictions that prohibit smoking in public places has increased rapidly, just a few successful attempts have been made to pass similar laws prohibiting smoking in cars, where the cabin space may contribute to concentrated exposure. In particular, TSP constitutes a potentially serious health hazard to children because of prolonged exposure and their small size.


METHODS
The present study investigated the levels of TSP in 18 cars via the measurement of fine respirable particles (<2.5 microns in diameter or PM(2.5)) under a variety of in vivo conditions. Car owners smoked a single cigarette in their cars in each of five controlled air-sampling conditions. Each condition varied on movement of the car, presence of air conditioning, open windows, and combinations of these airflow influences.


RESULTS
Smoking just a single cigarette in a car generated extremely high average levels of PM(2.5): more than 3,800 microg/m3 in the condition with the least airflow (motionless car, windows closed). In moderate ventilation conditions (air conditioning or having the smoking driver hold the cigarette next to a half-open window), the average levels of PM(2.5) were reduced but still at significantly high levels (air conditioning = 844 microg/m3; holding cigarette next to a half-open window = 223 microg/m3).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that TSP in cars reaches unhealthy levels, even under realistic ventilation conditions, lending support to efforts occurring across a growing number of jurisdictions to educate people and prohibit smoking in cars in the presence of children.
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
Taryn
T
Sendzik
Geoffrey T
GT
Fong
Mark J
MJ
Travers
Andrew
A
Hyland
D000328:Adult; D000392:Air Movements; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D001336:Automobiles; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014691:Ventilation / Q000379:methods
D000393:Air Pollutants; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution