On-the-job exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among Massachusetts workers

BACKGROUND: According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no risk-free level of exposure to tobacco smoke. In 2004, Massachusetts mandated that all enclosed workplaces with one or more employees be smoke-free. In this study, we assessed whether exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work (ETSW) among employed adults has declined in recent years and differs by occupation group. METHODS: Annually, adult respondents to the Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System who report being currently employed are asked about exposure to ETSW in the past week. Prevalence of exposure was estimated by age, gender, and race/ethnicity, and examined over time from 2003-2010. Prevalence was estimated by occupation group for 2010 only, as this was the one year during the study period for which occupation information was available. RESULTS: From 2003-2010, prevalence of exposure to ETSW among non-smokers declined from 8.0% (SE 0.89) in 2003 to 5.4% (SE 0.49) in 2010. Prevalence was consistently higher among male, non-white, and younger workers. Exposure to ETSW differed by occupation group. Prevalence was markedly higher among workers in Installation, Repair, and Maintenance (37.4%, SE 9.9), Construction and Extraction (22.6%, SE 5.4) and Transportation and Material Moving (19.8%, SE 4.9)occupations. CONCLUSION: Exposure to ETSW in Massachusetts has declined since the enactment of the Smoke-Free Workplace Law. However, exposure varies by gender, race/ethnicity, and occupation group. Certain occupation groups still have exceptionally high exposure prevalence, which raises questions about the role of employers and public health in further protecting workers from this hazard.