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Pasquale Valente, Dr¹, Irene Figà Talamanca, Prof¹, Francesco Forastiere, Dr², Luigi Paoletti, Dr³, and Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Dr³. (1) Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of Rome "La Sapienza". Rome. Italy., P.le Aldo Moro, 5, Rome, 00185, Italy, +390649902981, pasquale.valente@iss.it, (2) Department of Epidemiology, ASL E Health Authority, Rome, via di Santa Costanza 53, Rome, 00198, Italy, (3) Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Rome, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, 00161, Italy

Introduction. A smoking ban in all closed public places started in Italy on January 2005. Aim of this study was to compare the indoor air quality of public facilities before and after the smoking ban by monitoring the concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM1.0).

Methods. Indoor concentration levels of PM 2.5, PM1.0 and ultrafine particles were monitored in 40 public facilities (14 bars, 6 fast food, 8 restaurants, 6 gaming clubs, 6 pubs) in Rome, before and after the smoking ban law introduction (at the successive 3rd and 12th month). Measurements were taken using direct-reading instruments ( DustTRAK Mod. 8520; Ultra-fine Particles Counter P-TRAK Mod. 8525).

Results. Measurement of PM 2.5 and PM 1.0 levels in smoking areas before the new law showed values fivefold higher than those measured in no-smoking areas. Fine and ultrafine monitoring at the 3rd month after the application of the banning rule showed a significantly (P<0.001) mean reduction of the PM2.5 (103 μg/m3 versus 424 μg/m3 ) and of the PM 1.0 (72 μg/m3 versus 319 μg/m3 ) concentration values, while the number of ultrafine particles was exactly halved (P<0.001). These data are substantially confirmed by the monitoring data one year after.

Discussion and Conclusions. Our data confirm the presence of elevated levels of ETS pollution in the public places in absence of smoking ban laws. The smoking ban law introduced in Italy, like in other countries, has produced a dramatic drop of fine and ultrafine particles indoor pollution in the public facilities.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the impact of smoking ban on the indoor air quality in public places.

Keywords: Environmental Exposures, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No