183363 Smoke-free workplace regulation in West Virginia: Local air quality testing in Monongalia County

Monday, October 27, 2008

Cindy Tworek, PhD, MPH , School of Pharmacy/Translational Tobacco Reduction Program, West Virginia University/Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Ctr., Morgantown, WV
Valerie Frey-McClung, MA , Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Translational Tobacco Reduction Program, Morgantown, WV
Leesa Prendergast, MS, CHES , West Virginia University, West Virginia Prevention Research Center, Morgantown, WV
Kimberly Horn, EdD, MSW , Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University/Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Morgantown, WV
BACKGROUND: As of 2008, there are 48 West Virginia counties with smoke-free workplaces including restaurants; 17 counties with smoke-free workplaces including restaurants and bars; and 7 counties that allow smoking in workplaces including restaurants and bars. Research is needed to study effects of county-level smoking restrictions on workplace air quality given second-hand smoke exposure among workers and patrons, and is especially important in Monongalia County, which allows smoking in restaurants and bars. METHODS: Indoor air quality was assessed during May-July 2007 at 21 Monongalia County hospitality venues that allow smoking. Data were collected using the TSI SidePakAM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor, and each venue was visited for at least 30-minutes. Test venues included: 14 bars; 3 gaming places; and 3 restaurants. Monitoring was concealed and samples were collected continuously throughout each visit. RESULTS: Preliminary data reported summaries of average indoor air quality among 17 venues including: 12 bars; 3 restaurants; and 2 gambling places. Results showed 14% of venues had moderate indoor air quality, while 19% tested unhealthy for sensitive groups and an additional 19% tested unhealthy, very unhealthy, or hazardous for average air quality among workplaces. Half of all bars with preliminary data also had average indoor air quality reported as unhealthy (in varying degrees) or hazardous. CONCLUSIONS: West Virginia counties that allow workplace smoking should monitor air quality and be aware of unhealthy indoor air. Air quality data can be collected, analyzed, and presented to better inform advocates, businesses, and the public to help achieve 100% smoke-free workplace protection.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe local-level smoke-free workplace protection among counties in West Virginia. 2. Discuss results from indoor air quality assessment at Monongalia County hospitality venues where smoking is allowed in terms of health hazards present from smoke exposure. 3. Recognize the importance of presenting and publicizing local air quality monitoring results to inform boards of health, businesses, and the public in West Virginia.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Assistant Professor at West Virginia University in the Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, School of Pharmacy, and a core investigator in the Translational Tobacco Reduction Program (T2R2), Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center. I received a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Community Health from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Other graduate degrees include a Master in Public Health and M.S. in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Rochester. Previous professional and research experience include the following: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, MD (Associate Research Scientist); Maine Medical Center, Center for Tobacco Independence, Portland, ME (Behavioral Scientist); Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Department of Health Behavior, Buffalo, NY; and the Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, NY. My research has been primarily focused on tobacco control policy and tobacco cessation, including the study of how policy can affect health behavior outcomes related to smoking. My interest areas include: tobacco control, health policy, health behavior, and models to promote health and prevent disease. My recent work has also included health services research and efforts to effectively translate research into practice, improving public health and enhancing prevention practices among communities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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