Changes in PM10 and PM2.5 air levels in bars after the enforcement of the smoking ban in the Italian legislation
Tominz, R.; Poropat, C.; Bovenzi, M.
Epidemiologia e Prevenzione 30(6): 325-333
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1120-9763 PMID: 17333686 Document Number: 604702
in Italy law n.3/2003 has banned smoking in closed places, with the exception of private venues and of public venues reserved for smokers and marked as such. The present report estimates the effects of the ban. comparison between periods (before-after enforcement of the law). City of Trieste. Six bars and four shops (convenience sample). particulate matter fractions PM10 and PM2.5 in bars and stores before and after enforcement of the law, outdoor PM10. Concentrations were estimated over the normal working hours of the premises. after enforcement of the law the concentration of PM2.5 in bars fell by 73% (p < 0.01), whereas the concentration of the PM10-2.5 fraction did not decrease significantly. Overall, the mean concentration of PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 in shops showed no statistically significant change. mean hourly PM2.5 concentrations, used as a proxy for indoor pollution caused by environmental tobacco smoke in bars were significantly reduced.