Indoor Air Quality at Nine Large-Hub Airports With and Without Designated Smoking Areas—United States, October–November 2012

November 23, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. 46

MMWR Highlights

Smoking Still Permitted

• In 2012, the following 5 large-hub U.S. airports allowed smoking in certain indoor locations accessible to the public:
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, Georgia)
  • Denver International Airport (Denver, Colorado)
  • McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Washington Dulles International Airport (Metropolitan D.C. area)
  • Salt Lake City International Airport (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Health Effects and Ventilation

• Secondhand smoke exposure causes death and disease in both nonsmoking adults and children.
• There is no safe level of exposure.
• Separately enclosed and ventilated smoking rooms are not effective in completely eliminating secondhand smoke exposure.

Results of Air Quality Measurement in Airports

• The report found that the average levels of RSPs were 23 times higher in the smoking areas than the average levels in the smoke-free airports.
• The report also found that the average RSP levels in the areas next to the smoking areas were 5 times higher than average levels in smoke-free airports.