PM sub(2.5) as a marker of exposure to tobacco smoke and other sources of particulate matter in Cairo, Egypt

SETTING: Cairo and Giza governorates of Egypt. BACKGROUND: Particulate matter under 2.5 mu m in diameter (PM sub(2.5)) arises from diverse sources, including tobacco smoke from cigarettes and waterpipes, and is recognized as a cause of acute and chronic morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To measure PM sub(2.5) in workplaces with different intensities of smoking and varying levels of smoking restrictions. DESIGN: We conducted an air sampling study to measure PM sub(2.5) levels in a convenience sample of indoor and outdoor venues in 2005-2006. RESULTS: Using a calibrated SidePak instrument, 3295 individual measurements were collected at 96 venues. Compared to indoor venues where tobacco smoking was banned (PM sub(2.5) levels 72-81 mu g/m super(3)), places offering waterpipes to patrons of cafes (478 mu g/m super(3)) and Ramadan tents (612 mu g/m super(3)) had much higher concentrations, as did venues such as public buildings with poor enforcement of smoking restrictions (range 171-704 mu g/m super(3)). Both the number of waterpipe smokers and the number of cigarette smokers observed at each venue contributed significantly to the overall burden of PM sub(2.5). CONCLUSION: Such data will support smoke-free policies and programs aimed specifically at reducing environmental tobacco exposure and improving air quality in general, and will provide a baseline for monitoring the impact of tobacco control policies.