Study: Indoor Air Pollution Remains at Dangerous Levels After Partial Smoke-free Law
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 31, 2012) − The average level of indoor air pollution in Kenton County, Ky., dropped after implementation of the smoke-free ordinance in April 2011 but air quality remained dangerously high and above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for indoor air, according to a report released Jan. 31 by the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.
The purpose of the study was to assess air quality in nine hospitality venues in Kenton County before and after implementation of their partial smoke-free ordinance on April 15, 2011, then compare the results to Lexington and Louisville air quality data before and after their smoke-free laws took effect. The study also compared air quality in 19 venues after the ordinance took effect including nonsmoking, smoking and split-shift locations.
Kenton County's law exempts bars and venues may adopt a 'split shift' exemption, allowing smoking after 4 p.m. Locations were sampled using the TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor before the ordinance from April 8 to April 10, 2011, and from May 13 to June 21, 2011, following the enacting of the ordinance. The average level of indoor air pollution in Kenton County dropped from 123μg/m3 before the law to74 μg/m3 after the law, but the air quality remained above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for outdoor air. The split shift and smoking venues exceeded the national standard by 1.8 and 4.2 times, respectively. Kenton County indoor air pollution was 4.1 times higher than Lexington and 8.0 times higher than Louisville after their comprehensive laws.
“Workers in some Kenton County venues remain exposed to toxic levels of secondhand smoke," said Ellen Hahn, director, Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy at the UK College of Nursing and the report’s primary author. "All could breathe easier if Kenton County had a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance.”