Open AccessMeasuring Indoor Air Quality of Hookah Lounges
Author(s) -
Steven C. Fiala,
Daniel S. Morris,
Rebecca Pawlak
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2012.300751
Subject(s) - environmental health , secondhand smoke , tobacco smoke , passive smoking , indoor air quality , smoke , agency (philosophy) , quality (philosophy) , indoor air , business , medicine , environmental science , waste management , environmental engineering , engineering , philosophy , epistemology
Many states have implemented smoke-free workplace laws to protect employees and customers from exposure to secondhand smoke. However, exemptions in these laws have allowed indoor tobacco smoking in hookah lounges to proliferate in recent years. To describe the amount of secondhand smoke in hookah lounges, we measured the indoor air quality of 10 hookah lounges in Oregon. Air quality measurements ranged from "unhealthy" to "hazardous" according to Environmental Protection Agency standards, indicating a potential health risk for patrons and employees.