Measurement of fine particles and smoking activity in a statewide survey of 36 California Indian casinos

Abstract

Despite California's 1994 statewide smoking ban, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) continues in California's Indian casinos. Few data are available on exposure to airborne fine particles (PM2.5) in casinos, especially on a statewide basis. We sought to measure PM2.5 concentrations in Indian casinos widely distributed across California, exploring differences due to casino size, separation of smoking and non-smoking areas, and area smoker density. A selection of 36 out of the 58 Indian casinos throughout California were each visited for 1–3 h on weekend or holiday evenings, using two or more concealed monitors to measure PM2.5 concentrations every 10 s. For each casino, the physical dimensions and the number of patrons and smokers were estimated. As a preliminary assessment of representativeness, we also measured eight casinos in Reno, NV. The average PM2.5 concentration for the smoking slot machine areas (63 μg/m3) was nine times as high as outdoors (7 μg/m3), whereas casino non-smoking restaurants (29 μg/m3) were four times as high. Levels in non-smoking slot machine areas varied: complete physical separation reduced concentrations almost to outdoor levels, but two other separation types had mean levels that were 13 and 29 μg/m3, respectively, higher than outdoors. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations in casinos can be attributed primarily to SHS. Average PM2.5 concentrations during 0.5–1 h visits to smoking areas exceeded 35 μg/m3 for 90% of the casino visits.

Continuous weeklong measurements of indoor particle levels in a Minnesota Tribal Casino Resort

“…The observed percent of active smokers in the casino is similar to the active smoker prevalence reported in 36 California Indian casinos of 11 % (range, 5–25 %) [9], and the prevalence reported in 7 Reno casinos of 9.3 % (range, 7–12 %) [6]. Klepeis et al [10] found a somewhat lower active smoker proportion of 7 % (range, 5–10 %) in 11 southern California casinos.…”

Secondhand smoke and smoking restrictions in casinos: a review of the evidence

“…Finally, we were able to identify few studies systematically exploring population disparities related to SHS exposure, smoke-free policies and related health effects in casinos. In particular, we found few studies that assessed SHS exposure in tribal casinos 15 50. It would be helpful for future research to address these gaps in the existing literature.…”

“…For example, a study of 36 tribal casinos found that PM 2.5 levels in non-smoking gaming areas in smoking-permitted casinos averaged 22 μg/m 3 (43 μg/m 3 for areas with no separation from smoking gaming areas, 20 μg/m 3 for areas with semiseparation and 7.9 μg/m 3 for areas with complete separation), compared with 5.4 μg/m 3 in a smoke-free casino and a 7 μg/m 3 level measured outdoors using the same method 15. Similarly, a study assessing air quality on casino gaming floors and in casino restaurants after implementation of Nevada's 2006 Clean Indoor Air Act found that partial smoking restrictions had limited effect 18.…”

Advancing smoke-free policy adoption on the Navajo Nation

“…[16][17][18] Casino workers and patrons are exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke, including carcinogens and fine particulate matter associated with cardiovascular disease (PM 2.5 ). [18][19][20][21][22][23] Air quality studies demonstrate that non-smoking areas within casinos, without physical barriers, provide no protection from secondhand smoke exposure; non-smoking areas, partially separated from smoking areas, provide minimal protection and smoke-free areas, completely separated from smoking areas by physical barriers, provide good protection. 18 21 22 Studies show that a small portion of actively smoking casino patrons (7-12%) are responsible for the high levels of secondhand smoke found in casinos and ventilation systems are not effective at removing secondhand smoke.…”