USI Professor’s Study Shows Indoor Pollution 20 times Higher in Smoking Establishments than in Smokefree Establishments

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION DROPS BY 95% IN VANDERBURGH COUNTY; HARMFUL AIR QUALITY IN EVANSVILLE CITY WORKPLACES

Indoor Air Pollution 20 Times Higher in Places with Indoor Smoking in Evansville vs. Smoke-Free Establishments in Vanderburgh County

Evansville, Ind. – A new study indicates that indoor air pollution in smoky Evansville restaurants and bars was found to be 20 times higher for restaurants and bars that are now smoke- free in Vanderburgh County.

According to Dr. Mark Krahling, from University of Southern Indiana, the average level of fine particulate air pollution was 272 μg/m3 in the Evansville venues that allowed smoking compared to just 12 μg/m3 in smoke-free places in Vanderburgh County.

The announcement was made by the local Smokefree Communities coalition. The study, conducted before and after the July 2011 Vanderburgh County smoke-free air ordinance went into effect, used state-of-the-art air pollution monitors to measure the levels of fine particulate air pollution in five restaurants and bars in the County and found a 95% decrease in indoor air pollution from 242 μg/m3 to 12 μg/m3 .

“We’re thrilled to report that the air quality has dramatically improved,” said Martha Caine, Executive Director of Smokefree Communities. “This study clearly demonstrates the health benefit of Vanderburgh County’s smoke-free air law,”

The concentration of fine particle air pollution, PM 2.5, was measured using a TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor. PM 2.5 is particulate matter in the air smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter. Particles of this size are released in significant amounts from burning cigarettes, are easily inhaled deep into the lungs, and cause a variety of adverse health effects including cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and death.

The study also indicated that employees and patrons in smoke-filled workplaces are being exposed to indoor air pollution levels more than seven times higher than air quality levels designated as healthy by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Smokefree Communities worked in conjunction with the University of Southern Indiana to collect the data as part of an evaluation of smoke-free policies.

“The results from this study provide clear evidence that the law has been highly effective in improving air quality in indoor environments and protecting workers and the public from the health harms of secondhand smoke,” explains Caine. “Our recommendation would be for the City of Evansville to adopt a comprehensive smoke-free air ordinance.”