Air Quality Monitoring Study

Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association in association with VHAI New Delhi conducted an Air Quality Monitoring study to evaluate the quality of air in public places like restaurants, bars, pubs etc

The objective of the study
• To measure the level of particulate air pollution from secondhand smoke in public places
• To compare the level of air quality in the smoking venue and smoke free venues
• To stimulate the decision makers to implement smoke free laws more effectively

Locations :Madhya Pradesh
Indore,Bhopal

Methodology and Process
The MPVHA and Voluntary Health Association of India conducted an air quality study by measuring particulate air pollution from secondhand smoke in 12 different bars and restaurants mostly during their peak business hours in September 2009. The amount of smoking, a major source of particulate air pollution, was recorded as well. All of the indoor locations sampled in the study were required to be smoke-free by law. The data collected were analyzed by the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in New York, USA.

Members Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association and Voluntary Health association visited a sample of locations at Indore and Bhopal. These locations were visited during the peak business hour (7.00 pm to 11.00pm). During their sit visit they observed and recorded whether people were smoking and also recorded any other violations on the India smoke-free law (for example, lack of signage, ashtrays, etc). The number of people inside the venue and the number of burning cigarettes were recorded.
In addition to observing whether smoking was observed, the teams tested the quality of the air using Sidepak monitors to sample and record the levels of particulate matter in the air.

Key findings of the AQM Study Madhya Pradesh Bhopal & Indore,

• Out of the 12 hospitality sites visited in the urban cities of Bhopal and Indore, smoking was observed in 7 places and not observed in 5 places.
• The average level of fine particle air pollution in the 7 locations where smoking was observed (bars) was 6 times higher than the 5 locations (restaurants and cafes) where no smoking was observed indoors
• The level of fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in the places with observed smoking is 40 times higher than the World Health Organization target air quality guideline for PM2.5 - 25 μg/m3 (24 - hour mean).
• Of the 7 places where smoking was observed, 6 did not have any of the required “No Smoking” signage.
• Of the 5 places where there was no observed smoking, only two had the proper “No Smoking” signs. Two of these places also had smoking occurring at the entrance where smoke can drift indoors and patrons are exposed upon entry and exit.