Journal Article

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La Tunisie medicale

Tunis.Med.

Sep

85

9

793

797

GR: P50 CA111236/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States; JID: 0413766; ppublish

Tunisia

0041-4131; 0041-4131

PMID: 18254313

fre

Comparative Study; English Abstract; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; IM

Unknown(0)

18254313

BACKGROUND: In 1986, a report of the U.S. Surgeon General concluded that second hand smoke is a cause of disease in healthy non smokers. Subsequent many nations including Tunisia implement smoke-free worksite regulations. The aim of our study is to test air quality in indoor ambient air venues in Tunisia. METHODS: A TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor was used to sample, record the levels of respirable suspended particles (RSP) in the air and to assess the real-time concentration of particles less than 2.5 microm in micrograms per cubic meter, or PM2.5. Thirty three venues were sampled in Tunis. The venues were selected to get a broad range of size, location and type of venue. Venues included restaurants and cafes, bars, bus stations, hospitals, offices, and universities. RESULTS: The mean level of indoor air pollution was 296 microg/m3 ranged from 11 microg/m3 to 1,499 microg/m3. The level of indoor air pollution was 85% lower in venues that were smoke-free compared to venues where smoking was observed (p<0.001). Averaged across each type of venue, the lowest levels of indoor air pollution were found in hospitals, offices and universities (52 microg/m3) and the highest level was found in a bar (1,499 micro/m3). CONCLUSION: Hospitality venues allowing indoor air smoking in Tunisia are significantly more polluted than both indoor smoke-free sites and outdoor air in Tunisia. This study demonstrates that workers and patrons are exposed to harmful levels of a known carcinogen and toxin. Policies that prohibit smoking in public worksites dramatically reduce second hand smoke exposure and improve worker and patron health.

Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis, Tunisia, Workplace

Higbee,C., Travers,M., Hyland,A., Cummings,K. M., Dresler,C.

Etude mondiale sur le monitorage de l&#39;air comparaison des niveaux de pollution de l&#39;air dans differents lieux publics: cas de la Tunisie

Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Cancer, USA.

http://vp9py7xf3h.search.serialssolutions.com/?charset=utf-8&pmid=18254313

2007