A study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that the level of particulate matter air pollution in public places in St Joseph that allowed smoking was 18 times higher than those where smoking is not allowed.

The study noted that a full-time employee at a public place here would be exposed to double the EPA’s average annual limits for particulate matter pollution during an eight hour work shift.

 

The study looked at 16 locations where smoking was allowed and two where it was not. All sixteen of the smoking-allowed locations received an EPA rating of unhealthy, while the two smoke-free locations received a rating of good.

The study asserts that on average, only 10% of people were actively smoking in the locations where smoking was permitted, 63% lower than the adult smoking prevalence for urban Buchanan County. According to the authors, the findings refute a commonly held misperception that a higher percent of hospitality industry customers or employees smoke.

Air quality studies for 19 Missouri communities have been compiled into one overall statewide study. The statewide release was completed on January 11th and will be featured at the upcoming Tobacco Free Missouri (TFM) Capitol Day on Wednesday, January 23rd.

Air quality studies for 19 Missouri communities have been compiled into one overall statewide study. The statewide release was completed on January 11th and will be featured at the upcoming Tobacco Free Missouri (TFM) Capitol Day on Wednesday, January 23rd. The full report is available on the TFM website.

The local group also offered the specifics from St Joseph, available for download here.