Twelve-20% of women continue to smoke during pregnancy. New research reveals cognitive differences and behavior-control disorders are seen in elementary school children from prenatal and postnatal exposures. Traditional cigarette smoking has decreased in adolescents; novel and appealing tobacco products have captured their attention, particularly electronic cigarettes, and rates double and often triple from middle to high school. Children with asthma and those living in multi-housing units have higher rates of secondhand smoke exposure than non-asthmatics and children living in single-home dwellings. There is no "safe or risk-free" level of tobacco use or exposure. Tobacco use and exposure in childhood and adolescence must be decreased using evidenced-based strategies to improve child health.

In April 1988, the Pennsylvania Social Services Union requested the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct a health hazard evaluation at the Office of Employment Security in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The union reported burning of the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; dizziness; respiratory infections; and other health problems among the office workers. The union suspected that these illnesses were due to some type of indoor environmental problem in the building. The entire floor has no windows, and is partially underground. On June 14 and 15, 1988, NIOSH investigators conducted an industrial hygiene and medical survey. The NIOSH medical officer conducted private interviews with 17 of the 30 employees. Information was elicited from the workers about their jobs, length of employment, symptoms, and medical and smoking history. Case history details were obtained regarding respiratory infections. The NIOSH industrial hygienist conducted a visual inspection, evaluated ventilation, measured air contaminants, and assessed thermal comfort conditions. The medical officer interviewed 17 employees, 15 of whom reported eye irritation, 13 malaise, 8 nasal congestion, 8 throat irritation, and 5 cough. Most said their symptoms improved away from the office environment. Six employees reported at least 2 upper respiratory infections in the preceding year, and 2 employees have had pneumonia; there was no medical or epidemiologic information to suggest that these were work-related. Potential sources of air contaminants in this building included a dry toner type photocopier, fiberglass insulation inside the air supply ductwork, tobacco smoke, cleaning compounds used by the janitorial service, office furnishings and supplies, and building construction materials. An area at the rear of the main office is not reached by ventilation ductwork. The quantity of outdoor air supply to the office area was measured at 950 cubic feet per minute (cfm), which (at 20 cfm/person) would be adequate for the 30 employees plus 17 visitors at a time. Thermal conditions, 72 to 75°F and 48-50% relative humidity, met comfort criteria. No unusual types or concentrations of indoor air contaminants were detected. Although a variety of volatile organic compounds were detected in the air, the compounds are ones that are commonly found in indoor air and were measured at concentrations less than any currently contemplated limits for indoor air in the U.S.A. No documented medical evidence was found to link respiratory illnesses with environmental conditions found in this building. Recommendations are made in Section VIII of this report to improve the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning system. KEYWORDS: SIC 7361 (employment agencies), SIC 9441 (government unemployment offices), indoor air quality, building-related illnesses, tight building syndrome, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fiberglass This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not ...

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