Tobacco smoke is a major source of indoor air pollution in Hungary's bars, restaurants and transportation venues

Abstract

Objective To compare the levels of indoor air pollution found in a sample of public locations in Hungary where smoking was and was not observed. Methods The TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor was used to measure the concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) observed in the ambient air of 6 pubs, 5 restaurants, 11 cafes, and 20 other locations in Budapest and Zalakaros between January and August 2008. Results In the 26 places where smoking was observed the average PM2.5 level was 102.3 μg/m3 [range: 3–487 μg/m3]; compared to 5.1 μg/m3 [range: 0–28 μg/m3] in the 16 places where smoking was not observed. Conclusions The levels of indoor fine particle air pollution measured in public locations in Hungary where smoking was observed were 18 times higher than the levels in locations where smoking was not observed and in nearly all instances exceeded the levels that the World Health Organization and US Environmental Protection Agency have concluded are harmful to human health.