Measurement on the PM2.5 concentration in one hotel with space separation of smoking indoor

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Tobacco Control Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 11 - 16
• Main Authors: Konishi, Sae, Yamato, Hiroshi, Nishiyama, Shingo, Jiang, Ying, Doi, Takashi, Nishikawa, Hiroyuki, Miyawaki, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Society for Tobacco Control 27.03.2020
• Subjects: passive smoking; PM2.5; space separation of smoking indoor; tobacco smoke concentration
• ISSN: 1882-6806
• DOI: 10.14950/jstc.15.11

Objective: The aim of the study was to measure the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in hotel air and assess guest exposure to passive smoking. Methods: We measured PM2.5 concentration outside the business hotel X, in the non-smoking lobby, and in the hallways of both the non-smoking and smoking floors. The PM2.5 of smoke from a guest room on the smoking floor was measured from the hallway in front of the room. Results: The PM2.5 concentration in the hallway of the smoking floor was significantly higher than that outside the hotel, in the lobby, or on the non-smoking floor. Also, the PM2.5 concentration on the non-smoking floor was significantly higher than that in the lobby. When someone smoked, the PM2.5 concentration in the hallway in front of their room rose two to three times than before. The average PM2.5 value on the smoking floors exceeded the average annual value stipulated by the Ministry of the Environment. Conclusion: The PM2.5 concentration was high not only on the smoking floors, but on the non-smoking floors as well. It is possible that the cigarette smoke spread through the elevators and stairwells. Further, when a smoker lights a cigarette in their room, it is possible that PM2.5 may leak into the hallway through gaps of the door in the guest room door. Therefore, passive smoking cannot be avoided even in hotels with smoking and non-smoking floors.