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TOBACCO SMOKE POLLUTION ON OUTDOOR PATIOS – AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUTION OF THE SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO ACT. Ryan David Kennedy*, MAES , Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo Geoffrey T. Fong, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo
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TOBACCO SMOKE POLLUTION ON OUTDOOR PATIOS – AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUTION OF THE SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO ACT Ryan David Kennedy*, MAES, Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo Geoffrey T. Fong, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo Andrew Hyland, PhD, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York Mark J. Travers, MS, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York Seema Mutti, Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo
BACKGROUND PATIOS: From the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion • “Smoking is prohibited if an outdoor patio has a roof, even where the roof partially covers the patio. • A roof includes an awning, tarp, canvas sheeting or other permanent or temporary covering that is capable of excluding rain or impeding airflow, or both. • A stand-alone umbrella covering a single table would not be considered a roof. However, if umbrellas are used in such a way so as to serve as a roof, an inspector may view it as such and act accordingly.” • http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/health/smoke_free/fact_sheets/employersandemployees.asp
RESEARCH QUESTIONS • Quantify how different patio structures and their configurations may affect TSP concentrations on a patio • Quantify the movement of TSP to adjacent indoor areas
SURVEY METHODS • Patio Location secured
SURVEY METHODS • Scenarios Studied: • Open Air • Patio Umbrellas – not touching • Patio Umbrellas – touching (not compliant SFOA) • Awnings – no tables underneath • Awnings – tables underneath (not compliant SFOA)
SURVEY METHODS • Protocol followed • Baseline readings (background PM2.5) • BURN 1 – 20 minutes • Dispersion • BURN 2 – 20 minutes • Dispersion • 8 cigarettes burning during burns – all extinguished at 20 minute mark
SMOKE REGIME AND SAMPLING METHODS • Cigarettes were smoked using a hand-held 60mL syringe with a Cress mouthpiece attached via PVC tubing. • 8 cigarettes smoked by 4 research assistants • Health Canada testing protocol followed • 55mL puffs drawn over 2 seconds every 30 seconds
RESULTS – Open Air • In each scenario studied, PM2.5 levels were very good or good at baseline (using the Ontario Air Quality Index). • During 12 open air tests (no structures) average readings were 41 mg/m3 above background during the periods where cigarettes were smoked • One test produced levels 59 mg/m3 above background All baseline PM2.5 readings were good or very good.
RESULTS – Umbrellas • Scenarios with patio umbrellas produced the highest PM2.5 levels, with readings in the poor range (82 mg/m3 above background). All baseline PM2.5 readings were good or very good.
RESULTS - Umbrellas • Scenarios with umbrellas All baseline PM2.5 readings were good or very good.
RESULTS - Awnings 4 scenarios to test this: • Baseline Burn (Ontario Open Air) • Awning (Smokers not under) • Awning (Smokers not under) – Doors Open • Awning (Smokers under) – Doors Open All baseline PM2.5 readings were good or very good.
KEY FINDINGS • Open Air Scenarios can still experience elevated levels of TSP • The presence of umbrellas and awnings on a patio increase the TSP • There is negligible difference in levels observed when umbrellas are touching or not touching. • There is negligible difference in levels observed when smokers sit under or not under an awning
KEY FINDINGS TSP drifts from patios to indoor areas if a doorway is open TSP in indoor areas do not dissipate as quickly as outdoor areas
THANK YOU Funding for this research project provided by • OTRU • CIHR Doctoral Research Grant Thank you to the Research Assistants who helped with this – Kathleen, Amelia, Pavani, Krystal, Zac, Erica, Seema, & Simon Thank you to the team of speech pathologists from Freeport Hospital and the Stroke Prevention Clinic who helped get me ready for this!
THANK YOU This research is funded through the strategic initiative Advancing the Science to Reduce Tobacco Abuse and Nicotine Addiction. This initiative is a partnership of government and non-profit organizations under the coordination of the Canadian Tobacco Control Research Initiative (CTCRI). www.ctcri.ca