RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A Casino goes smoke free: a longitudinal study of secondhand and thirdhand smoke pollution and exposure
JF Tobacco Control
JO Tob Control
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP tobaccocontrol-2017-054052
DO 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2017-054052
A1 Georg E Matt
A1 Penelope J E Quintana
A1 Eunha Hoh
A1 Joy M Zakarian
A1 Zohir Chowdhury
A1 Melbourne F Hovell
A1 Peyton Jacob
A1 Kayo Watanabe
A1 Teaba S Theweny
A1 Victoria Flores
A1 Anh Nguyen
A1 Narinder Dhaliwal
A1 Gary Hayward
YR 2018
UL http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2018/02/09/tobaccocontrol-2017-054052.abstract
AB Background Secondhand smoke (SHS) in US casinos is common, but little is known about the residue of tobacco smoke pollutants left behind in dust and on surfaces, commonly referred to as thirdhand smoke (THS). We examined SHS and THS pollution and exposure before and during a casino smoking ban and after smoking resumed.Methods A casino was visited nine times over a 15-month period to collect dust, surface and air samples in eight locations. Finger wipe and urine samples were collected from non-smoking confederates before and after a 4-hour casino visit. Samples were analysed for markers of SHS and THS pollution and exposure.Results Exceptionally high levels of THS were found in dust and on surfaces. Although the smoking ban led to immediate improvements in air quality, surface nicotine levels were unchanged and remained very high for the first month of the smoking ban. Surface nicotine decreased by 90% after 1 month (P<0.01), but nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines in dust decreased more slowly, declining by 90% only after 3 months (P<0.01). Exposure was significantly reduced after the ban, but the benefits of the ban were reversed after smoking resumed.Conclusions Long-term smoking in a casino creates deep THS reservoirs that persist for months after a smoking ban. A complete smoking ban immediately improves air quality and significantly reduces exposure to SHS and THS. However, THS reservoirs contribute to continued low-level exposure to toxicants. To accelerate the effect of smoking bans, remediation efforts should address specific THS reservoirs, which may require intensive cleaning as well as replacement of carpets, furniture and building materials.