Exposure to fine and ultrafine particles from secondhand smoke in public places before and after the smoking ban, Italy 2005

Background: A smoking ban in all indoor public places was enforced in Italy on 10 January 2005. Methods: We compared indoor air quality before and after the smoking ban by monitoring the indoor concentrations of fine ( 2.5 ) and ultrafine particulate matter ( 2.5 and ultrafine particles were measured in 40 public places (14 bars, six fast food restaurants, eight restaurants, six game rooms, six pubs) in Rome, before and after the introduction of the law banning smoking (after 3 and 12 months). Measurements were taken using real time particle monitors (DustTRAK Mod. 8520 TSI; Ultra-fine Particles Counter-TRAK Model 8525 TSI). The PM 2.5 data were scaled using a correction equation derived from a comparison with the reference method (gravimetric measurement). The study was completed by measuring urinary cotinine, and pre-law and post-law enforcement among non-smoking employees at these establishments Results: In the post-law period, PM 2.5 decreased significantly from a mean concentration of 119.3 μg/m 3 to 38.2 μg/m 3 after 3 months (p 3 a year later (p 3 to 38 079 particles/cm 3 (p 3 (p Conclusion: The application of the smoking ban led to a considerable reduction in the exposure to indoor fine and ultrafine particles in hospitality venues, confirmed by a contemporaneous reduction of urinary cotinine.