PM2.5 as a marker of exposure to tobacco smoke
- Citation:
- Loffredo, C. A., Y. Tang, M. Momen, K. Makambi, G. N. Radwan, and A. Aboul-Foutoh, PM2.5 as a marker of exposure to tobacco smoke , , 2012.
Abstract:
Setting: Cairo and Giza governorates of Egypt 33
Objective: Particulate matter under 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5
) arises 34
from diverse sources, including tobacco smoke from cigarettes and 35
waterpipes, and is recognized as a cause of acute and chronic morbidity and 36
mortality. Our study aimed to measure PM2.5
in workplaces with different 37
intensities of smoking and varying levels of smoking restrictions 38
Design: We conducted an air sampling study to measure PM2.5
levels in a 39
convenience sample of indoor and outdoor venues in 2005-6. 40
Results: 3,295 individual measurements were collected at 96 venues with a 41
calibrated SidePak instrument. Compared to indoor venues where tobacco 42
smoking was banned (PM
2.5 levels of 72-81ug/m
3
), places offering waterpipes 43
to patrons of cafes (478 ug/m
3
) and Ramadan tents (612 ug/m
3
) had much 44
higher concentrations, as did venues such as public buildings with poor 45
enforcement of smoking restrictions (range: 171-704 ug/m
3
). Both the number 46
of waterpipe smokers and the number of cigarette smokers observed at each 47
venue contributed significantly to the overall burden of PM
2.5
. 48
Conclusion: Such data will support smoke-free policies and programs aimed 49
at reducing environmental tobacco exposure specifically and improving air 50
quality generally, and will provide a baseline for monitoring the impact of 51
tobacco control policies. 52
Key words: particulate matter, indoor air quality, smoking