ABSTRACT
<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>A local study completed in Singapore, which was part of an international multi-country study that aims to develop a global assessment of exposure to second-hand smoke in indoor workplaces, gathered data regarding the indoor air quality of public areas. It was hypothesised that air would be less polluted in non-smoking venues compared to places where smoking occurred.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor was used to sample and record the levels of respirable suspended particles (RSP) in the air. A broad range of venues were sampled in Singapore. The primary goal of data analysis was to assess the difference in the average levels of RSP in smoke-free and non smoke-free venues. Data was assessed at 3 levels: (a) the mean RSP across all venues sampled compared with the mean levels of smoke-free and non smoke-free venues, (b) levels in venues where smoking occurred compared with similar venues in Ireland, and (c) comparison between smoke-free and non smoke-free areas according to the type of venue. Statistical significance was assessed using the Mann-Whitney U-test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of indoor air pollution was 96% lower in smoke-free venues compared to non smoke-free venues. Averaged across each type of venue, the lowest levels of indoor air pollution were found in restaurants (17 microg/m3) and the highest in bars (622 microg/m3); both well above the US EPA Air Quality Index hazardous level of >or=251 ug/m3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study demonstrates that workers and patrons are exposed to harmful levels of a known carcinogen and toxin. Policies that prohibit smoking in public areas dramatically reduce exposure and improve worker and patron health.</p>
Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor , Environmental Monitoring , Ireland , Restaurants , Singapore , Smoking , WorkplaceABSTRACT
In 1986, a report of the U.S. Surgeon General concluded that second hand smoke is a cause of disease in healthy non smokers. Subsequent many nations includmg Tunisia implement smoke-free worksite regulations. The aim of our study is to test air quality in indoor ambient air venues in Tunisia. A TSI SidePak AM5 10 Personal Aerosol Monitor was used to sample, record the levels of respirable suspended particles [RSP] in the air and to assess the real-time concentration of particles less than 2.5urn in micrograms per cubic meter, or PMas2.5. Thirty three venues were sampled in Tunis. The venues were selected to get a broad range of size, location and type of venue. Venues included restaurants and cafs, bars, bus stations, hospitals, offices, and universities. The mean level of indoor air pollution was 296 pg/rn3 ranged from 11 micro g/m[5] to 1,499 micro g/m[3], The level of indoor air pollution was 85%lower in venues that were smoke-free compared to venues where smoking was observed [p<0.001]. Averaged across each type of venue, the lowest levels of indoor air pollution were found in hospitals, offices and universities [52 micro g/m [3]]] and the highest level was found in a bar [1,499 micro g/m [3]]. Hospitality venues allowing indoor air smoking in Tunisia are significantly more polluted than both indoor smoke-free sites and outdoor air in Tunisia. This study demonstrates that workers and patrons are exposed to harmful levels of a known carcinogen and toxin. Policies that prohibit smoking in public worksites dramatically reduce second hand smoke exposure and improve worker and patron health