Secondhand smoke emission levels in enclosed public places during Ramadan.
Secondhand smoke levels were assessed among a convenience sample of 15 public venues in Amman, Jordan, during Ramadan. PM2.5 measurements were taken inside each venue pre- and post-'iftar', when daily smoking abstinence can be broken at sundown. Cigarette smoking was observed in all venues post-iftar, and the median PM(2.5) level among the 15 venues (285 µg/m(3)) was significantly higher than the pre-iftar level (11 µg/m(3); P < 0.001). Post-iftar PM(2.5) levels exceeded the World Health Organization standard for particulate pollution by 5-20-fold. To protect public health in Jordan, smoke-free legislation should be enforced at all times of day, and all days of the year.
1 Forensic Department, Prince Hamza Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
Ibrahim
I
Ramahi
Andrew B
AB
Seidenberg
Ryan D
RD
Kennedy
Vaughan W
VW
Rees
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution