Browsing by Author "Lee, K."

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    Fine particle air pollution due to secondhand smoke in selected public places in Colombo
    (College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2009) Nandasena, Y.L.S.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Lee, K.; Sathiakumar, N.
    INTRODUCTION: Globally, about five million deaths per year are attributed to tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke accounts for a substantial proportion of these deaths. Most countries including Sri Lanka have legislation banning smoking in indoor workplaces and public places. Certain public places such as entertainment venues continue to permit smoking. Particulate matter (PM2.5) is a widely accepted indicator to evaluate secondhand smoke levels. OBJECTIVE: To determine PM2.5 concentrations in selected public places (defined as a space which can be visited without permission) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. METHODS: Using convenient sampling technique, we measured PM2.5 concentration levels in four types of public places (restaurants: n=6; bars: n=6; cafes: n=4; pubs and entertainment venues: n=4) during January to March, 2009. A particulate matter monitor (Model AM510 - SIDEPAK Personal Aerosol Monitor) was used to measure indoor air quality for 40 minutes and the immediate outdoors for 10 minutes before and after the indoor measurement. RESULTS: The mean indoor PM2.5 concentration was 124.9 ug/m3 (SD± 81.0) [range 33 ug/m3 - 299 ug/m3; median, 97.0 ug/m3]. The mean outdoor PM2.5 concentration was 39.7 ug/m3 (±14.3) [range 18 ug/m - 83 ug/m3; median, 37.5 ug/m3]. Indoor to outdoor (I/O) PM2.5 ratio ranged from 1.1 to 14.9. The highest PM2.s concentration was recorded in a bar and the highest I/O ratio in an entertainment venue. Smoking density (number of burning cigarettes divided by volume of the public place) was not correlated with average indoor PM2.5 concentration (Pearson correlation = 0.36, p=0.12) or with I/O PM2.5 ratio (Pearson correlation = 0.07, p=0.76). The reported values are equal or above, compared to such venues in other countries. CONCLUSION: The authorities should take steps in enforcing the smoking ban in public places. Areas where smoking is permitted, proper ventilation should be ensured.
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    Indoor fine particle (PM2.5) pollution exposure due to secondhand smoke in selected public places of Sri Lanka
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2012) Nandasena, S.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Lee, K.; Sathiakumar, N.
    BACKGROUND: Secondhand smoke accounts for a considerable proportion of deaths due to tobacco smoke. Although the existing laws ban indoor smoking in public places in Sri Lanka, the level of compliance is unknown. METHODS: Fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) levels in 20 public places in Colombo, Sri Lanka were measured by a PM monitor (Model AM510-SIDEPAK Personal Aerosol Monitor). Different types of businesses (restaurants, bars, cafés, and entertainment venues) were selected by purposive sampling. Only the places where smoking was permitted were considered. RESULTS: The average indoor PM(2.5) ranged from 33 to 299 µg/m(3). The average outdoor PM(2.5) ranged from 18 to 83 µg/m(3). The indoor to outdoor PM(2.5) ratio ranged from 1.05 to 14.93. In all venues, indoor PM(2.5) levels were higher than the Sri Lankan ambient PM(2.5) standard of 50 µg/m(3). All indoor locations had higher PM(2.5) levels as compared to their immediate outdoor surroundings. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of improving ventilation and enforcing laws to stop smoking in public places.