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Mankato's Smoke-Free Ordinance Significantly Improves Indoor Air Quality

Posted on: Thursday, 17 August 2006, 09:00 CDT

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of air quality monitoring tests released today provide the first evidence that Mankato's comprehensive smoke-free ordinance is working to improve health by dramatically reducing secondhand smoke in public places. Air quality monitoring conducted before and after the smoke-free ordinance went into effect on July 1, 2006, shows an 86 percent decrease in the amount of dangerous indoor air pollutants found in bars and restaurants.

"I don't think most people realize how polluted the air used to be in these indoor spaces, places where people work and gather," said coalition spokesperson Phil Bachman, "These results underscore the importance of voting 'yes' in November to keep Mankato smoke-free and healthy."

The air quality monitoring also found that prior to implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance, the air in some Mankato bars and restaurants was two times more polluted than Environmental Protection Agency's recommended exposure levels for a 24-hour period.

"Pollution measured in some Mankato bars and restaurants contain cancer- causing chemicals that are inhaled deeply into the lungs where they may cause significant damage to people's health. We know that high concentrations of these pollutants are found in secondhand smoke," said Dave Bohac, Director of Indoor Air Quality at the Center for Energy and the Environment. "The good news is after July 1, Mankato's tested pollution levels were considerably below the EPA's exposure limits and health concerns due to secondhand smoke have been eliminated for customers and workers."

The Mankato Area Smoke-Free Coalition monitored pollutants in the air of four bars and restaurants in Mankato. They compared air pollution before and after the July 1 implementation of Mankato's smoke-free ordinances. Data analysis was performed by the Center for Energy and the Environment.

Earlier this summer, Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, outgoing Surgeon General of the United States, released The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, the most comprehensive scientific report ever produced on the health harms of secondhand smoke. According to Carmona, "massive and conclusive scientific evidence documents adverse effects of involuntary smoking on children and adults." The report also concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

The findings from Mankato are very consistent with dozens of other air quality monitoring tests conducted in Minnesota and around the nation. For example, a larger air quality study in the metro area found Hennepin County's smoke-free ordinance reduced indoor air pollution by 87 percent.

For more information on the Surgeon General's Report, visit http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/ .

Methodology

Air quality monitoring was conducted before and after the implementation of smoke-free ordinances in four bars and restaurants in Mankato during June 2006 (pre-ordinance) and July 2006 (post-ordinance). Monitoring occurred from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. For each business, post-ordinance monitoring was conducted on the same day of the week and same time of day as the pre- ordinance monitoring so that the comparisons are valid. No monitoring was conducted over holiday weekends.

The monitoring was conducted by the Mankato Area Smoke-Free Coalition through a grant from the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco. Data analysis was provided by the Center for Energy and the Environment of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

American Lung Assoc. of Minnesota

CONTACT: Pat McKone of American Lung Assoc. of MN, +1-218-393-4120

Source: PRNewswire

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