Unexpected increase in indoor pollutants after the introduction of a smoke-free policy in a correctional center

摘要

Correctional centers (prisons) are one of the few non-residentialrnindoor environments where smoking is still permitted. However, few studiesrnhave investigated indoor air quality (IAQ) in these locations. We quantified thernlevel of inmate and staff exposure to secondhand smoke, including particlernnumber (PN) count, and we assessed the impact of the smoking ban on IAQ.rnWe performed measurements of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PNrnconcentrations, personal PN exposure levels, volatile organic compoundsrn(VOCs), and nicotine both before and after a complete indoor smoking ban inrnan Australian maximum security prison. Results show that the indoor 24-hrnaverage PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 6 (u00011) lg/m3 to 17 (u00013) lg/m3 preban.rnThe post-ban levels ranged from 7 (u00012) lg/m3 to 71 (u000143) lg/m3. WhilernPM2.5 concentrations decreased in one unit post-ban, they increased in the otherrntwo units. Similar post-ban increases were also observed in levels of PN andrnVOCs. We describe an unexpected increase of indoor pollutants following arntotal indoor smoking ban in a prison that was reflected across multiplernpollutants that are markers of smoking. We hypothesise that clandestine postbanrnsmoking among inmates may have been the predominant cause.