Informing effective smokefree policies in Argentina: air quality monitoring study in 15 cities (2007-2009) / Políticas efectivas de ambientes libres de humo de tabaco en Argentina: estudio de monitoreo de calidad del aire en 15 ciudades (2007-2009)

Objective. To evaluate indoor air pollution in hospitality venues in Argentina. Material and Methods. PM2.5 levels were measured in a convenience sample of venues in 15 cities with different legislative contexts following a protocol developed by Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Results. 554 samples were collected. Across all 5 smokefree cities the mean PM2.5 level was lower during daytime vs. evening hours, 24 vs. 98 PM2.5 respectively (p=.012). In the three cities evaluated before and after legislation, PM2.5 levels decreased dramatically (p<0.001 each). Overall, PM2.5 levels were 5 times higher in cities with no legislation vs. smokefree cities (p<0.001). In cities with designated smoking areas, PM2.5 levels were not statistically different between smoking and non-smoking areas (p=0.272). Non-smoking areas had significantly higher PM2.5 levels compared to 100 percent smokefree venues in the same city (twofold higher) (p=0.017). Conclusions. Most of the participating cities in this study had significantly lower PM2.5 levels after the implementation of 100 percent smokefree legislation. Hence, it represents a useful tool to promote 100 percent smokefree policies in Argentina.

Objetivo. Evaluar la polución ambiental del sector gastronómico en Argentina. Material y métodos. Se midieron los niveles de partículas respirables (PM2.5) en una muestra por conveniencia de establecimientos de 15 ciudades con diferente legislación, siguiendo un protocolo del Instituto de Cáncer Roswell Park. Resultados. Se recolectaron 554 muestras. En cinco ciudades libres de humo (CLH) la media de PM2.5 durante el día fue baja y menor a la observada durante la noche, 24 vs. 98 PM2.5 respectivamente (p=.012). En las tres ciudades evaluadas antes y después de la legislación, las PM2.5 disminuyeron drásticamente (p<0.001 cada una). Las PM2.5 fueron cinco veces mayores en ciudades sin legislación comparadas con CLH (p<0.001). En ciudades con restricción parcial, no hubo diferencia significativa entre las PM2.5 en el sector fumador y no fumador (p=0.272). Los sectores no fumadores tuvieron niveles PM2.5 significativamente más altos comparados con los lugares 100 por ciento libres de humo de la misma ciudad (p= 0.017). Conclusiones. La mayoría de las ciudades participantes en este estudio tuvieron niveles PM2.5 significativamente más bajos tras la implementación de leyes pro ambientes 100 por ciento libres de humo de tabaco, por lo que representa una herramienta útil para promover legislación 100 por ciento libre de humo en Argentina.

Study on Testing of the Indoor Particle Removal Efficiency of Plasma Air Cleaner / 环境与健康杂志

Objective By testing the particle removal efficiency of LG Electronics Company's two types of plasma air cleaners,to explore more scientific and reasonable methods for evaluating the purifying effectiveness of indoor air cleaners so as to obtain scientific and contrastable experimental data and calculating results. Methods This evaluating method referred to Standard Examination Method of Portable Household Electric Cord-Connected Room Air Cleaners of America (ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2000) and used one of indexes regu lated in standard Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) as the main evaluating index of the effectiveness of indoor air cleaners,meantime several kinds of domestic and international current evaluating indexes were adopted to synthetically evaluate decontaminating function of the air cleaners. Results The index of CADR could accurately and objectively manifest the true decontaminating function of indoor air cleaner. But if using the index of purifying efficiency to reflect the purifying effectiveness of air cleaners,pollutant's natural decay rate and initial concentration should be considered and at the same time other experimental conditions should be given out. Conclusion The establishments of accurate testing methods and accurate expressions of testing results were the sufficient and essential conditions for accurate evaluation on testing objectives.

Effectiveness of Different Indoor Air Disinfection Methods / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To explore a simple, effective and rapid method for indoor air disinfection. Methods Three kinds of disinfection methods were carried out (method A: wiping surfaces of floor and walls of room with water and ultraviolet irradiation, method B: wiping surfaces of floor and walls with chloro-disinfectant and ultraviolet irradiation, method C: wiping surfaces with chloro-disinfectant and spraying chloro disinfectant containing chlorine) and the effectiveness of different disinfection methods was compared. Results The result showed that all of the three methods could decrease natural fallen bacteria count in isolated room air to up to the standard, and the disinfection effectiveness of method C was better than the method A and method B. Conclusion The result indicated that method C was an effective and simple method for indoor air disinfection.