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Indoor Air Quality at Nine Large-Hub Airports With and Without Designated Smoking Areas—United States, October–November 2012


This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being updated.

November 23, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. 46


MMWR Highlights

Smoking Still Permitted

  • In 2012, the following 5 large-hub U.S. airports allowed smoking in certain indoor locations accessible to the public:
    • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, Georgia)
    • Denver International Airport (Denver, Colorado)
    • McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas, Nevada)
    • Washington Dulles International Airport (Metropolitan D.C. area)
    • Salt Lake City International Airport (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Health Effects and Ventilation

  • Secondhand smoke exposure causes death and disease in both nonsmoking adults and children.
  • There is no safe level of exposure.
  • Separately enclosed and ventilated smoking rooms are not effective in completely eliminating secondhand smoke exposure.

Results of Air Quality Measurement in Airports

  • The report found that the average levels of RSPs were 23 times higher in the smoking areas than the average levels in the smoke-free airports.
  • The report also found that the average RSP levels in the areas next to the smoking areas were 5 times higher than average levels in smoke-free airports.

 


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