Friday - Sep 09, 2005
Two or More Smokers Can Produce Levels of Particulate Matter in the Air That Are Significantly Higher Than Federal Safety Standards
Restaurant and bar workers and patrons of local establishments that permit cigarette smoking may be exposed to dangerously high levels of particulate matter from ambient tobacco smoke, according to data released today by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.
Public Health staff measured the concentration of particles the air smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) in thirteen local taverns, bar and grills, and bars. Particles of this size are released in the air in significant amounts from burning cigarettes and are easily inhaled deeply into the lungs.
Read the full press relase. (PDF)