A Baseline Evaluation of Casino Air Quality After Enactment of Nevada's Clean Indoor Air Act

Objective The U.S. Surgeon General reports that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). The purpose of this study was to measure levels of fine particulate matter in nonsmoking casino restaurants after enactment of Nevada's Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA). Methods Fine particulate matter < 2.5 mu m in diameter (PM2.5) concentrations were measured in 16 casino hotel restaurants and gaming areas for a total of 32 venues. A battery-operated SidePak aerosol monitor was discreetly used for at least 30 min in each venue. Results Nonsmoking restaurant PM2.5 levels ranged from 5 to 101 mu g/m3 (M=31; SD=22.9) while gaming areas ranged from 20 to 73 mu g/m3 (M=48; SD=15.9). There was a significant difference in PM2.5 between restaurants and gaming areas, t(30)=-2.54, p=.017. There was also a strong correlation between the levels of restaurant PM2.5 and gaming area PM2.5 (r=.71; p=.005). Conclusion Fine PM2.5 in all casino areas was above what the Environmental Protection Agency recommends as healthy. This information can be used to educate policy decision makers when discussing potential strengthening of the law.