학술논문
Particle Exposure Hazards of Visiting Outdoor Smoking Areas for Patients with Asthma or COPD Even in EU Countries with Comprehensive Smokefree Laws
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Source
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. May 2023, Vol. 20 Issue 11
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1660-4601
Abstract
Author(s): Sheila Keogan [1]; Tamara Alonso [2,3]; Salome Sunday [1]; Joan Hanafin [1]; Olena Tigova [3,4,5,6]; Esteve Fernandez [3,4,5,6]; Maria Jose Lopez [7,8,9]; Silvano Gallus [10]; Sean Semple [11]; Anna [...]
Smokefree laws are intended to protect against second-hand smoke (SHS) in outdoor areas. We examined if exposure to PM2.5 particles in outdoor smoking areas changed breathing rates in 60 patients with asthma (n = 30) or with COPD (n = 30), in an open, non-randomised, interventional study model in Czechia, Ireland and Spain. The patients wore a PM2.5 particle monitor (AirSpeck) and a breath monitor (RESpeck) for 24 h to determine changes in breathing rates (Br) at rest and during a visit to an outside smoking area. Spirometry and breath CO were measured before and the day after visiting an outdoor smoking area. The PM2.5 levels at the 60 venues were highly variable, ranging from ≥2000 µg/m[sup.3] (in 4 premises) to ≤10 µg/m[sup.3] (in 3 premises, which had only a single wall in the structure). At 39 venues, the mean PM 2.5 levels were ≥25 µg/m[sup.3]. The breathing rate changed significantly in 57 of the 60 patients, resulting in an increase in some patients and a decrease in others. Comprehensive smokefree laws were ineffective in protecting asthma and COPD patients from exposure to high levels of SHS in outside areas of pubs and terraces, which should be avoided by these patients. These findings also support the extension of smokefree laws to outside areas.
Smokefree laws are intended to protect against second-hand smoke (SHS) in outdoor areas. We examined if exposure to PM2.5 particles in outdoor smoking areas changed breathing rates in 60 patients with asthma (n = 30) or with COPD (n = 30), in an open, non-randomised, interventional study model in Czechia, Ireland and Spain. The patients wore a PM2.5 particle monitor (AirSpeck) and a breath monitor (RESpeck) for 24 h to determine changes in breathing rates (Br) at rest and during a visit to an outside smoking area. Spirometry and breath CO were measured before and the day after visiting an outdoor smoking area. The PM2.5 levels at the 60 venues were highly variable, ranging from ≥2000 µg/m[sup.3] (in 4 premises) to ≤10 µg/m[sup.3] (in 3 premises, which had only a single wall in the structure). At 39 venues, the mean PM 2.5 levels were ≥25 µg/m[sup.3]. The breathing rate changed significantly in 57 of the 60 patients, resulting in an increase in some patients and a decrease in others. Comprehensive smokefree laws were ineffective in protecting asthma and COPD patients from exposure to high levels of SHS in outside areas of pubs and terraces, which should be avoided by these patients. These findings also support the extension of smokefree laws to outside areas.