Ventilation

Does ventilation work? Not according to the research.

Protection from second-hand tobacco smoke in Ontario : a review of the evidence regarding best practices

This report provides a list of the harmful effects of second hand smoke (SHS) in adults and children, and also furnishes several recommendations, which all assert that involuntary exposure to SHS should be eradicated. Ventilation can not prevent exposure to SHS, and tobacco smoke should be removed from workplaces in Ontario.

Protection from second-hand tobacco smoke in Ontario : a review of the evidence regarding best practices

This report reviews current knowledge about the health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Issues that are discussed include the inadequacy of ventilation options and the status of legislative protection from ETS exposure. Recommendations are made on the basis of conclusions reached.

A survey of environmental tobacco smoke controls in California office buildings

This survey assesses the type and distribution of secondhand smoke controls in office buildings. Open areas with no barriers separating smoking and non-smoking areas, exhausted air to outside, or return air separation were the least efficient. Smoking areas with three kinds of secondhand smoke controls were the most successful at keeping smoke in the smoking area.

Can ventilation control secondhand smoke in the hospitality industry?

Dilution ventilation will not control second hand smoke in hospitality industry venues. The panel of ventilation experts asserts that smoke-free legislation is the only possible method of protecting workers and customers in hospitality venues from the harmful components of second hand smoke.

Buildings operations and ETS exposure

Described the general features of building ventilation systems and the efficacy of ventilation for controlling contaminant concentrations. Ventilation can reduce the concentration of secondhand smoke through dilution, but central heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) can also move air throughout a building that has been contaminated by secondhand smoke. An understanding of HVAC systems is needed to develop models for exposures of workers to secondhand smoke.

Ventilation in homes and bronchial obstruction in young children

Assessed the role of ventilation rate in homes in the development of bronchial obstruction during the first 2 years of life, using data from a matched case-control study. The odds ratios of bronchial obstruction were higher in the low air change group than in the high air change group owing to secondhand smoke exposure.

Clearing the air : ventilation and second-hand smoke

Report on a discussion group of experts gathered to debate the use of ventilation to dissipate secondhand smoke, in light of a Toronto bylaw on secondhand smoke exposure. Includes appendices concerning measurement and properties of secondhand smoke, and effectiveness of ventilation systems.

Effects of separately ventilated smoking lounges on the health of smokers : is this an appropriate public health policy?

Evaluates the possible outcome of a separately ventilated smoking lounge (SVSL) policy and a smoke free workplace policy on lung cancer mortality among people who smoke. Under a range of possible assumptions, a SVSL policy forecasted a large increase in lung cancer mortality while a smoke free policy was likely to prevent many deaths from lung cancer.

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines in Canadian cigarettes

Twenty-five brands of Canadian commercial cigarettes were analyzed for nitrate in tobacco and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) in tobacco and smoke. A correlation was observed between TSNA and tar deliveries in mainstream smoke. Ventilation ratio influenced smoke concentration.

Smoking in aircraft : report of a WHO/IATA/ICAO consultation

Discussed a World Health Organization (WHO) report that initiated the development of smoke-free spaces and restricted smoking in airplanes. Areas of debate included adverse effects of exposure to secondhand smoke, air-conditioning and ventilation, regulations on commercial airplanes, and actions taken by individual airlines.