Table 5

Prevalence (%) of self-reported sensory and respiratory irritation symptoms, comparison of workforce studies

Sensory and respiratory irritation symptoms

London casino workers (all) n = 559

London casino workers (non smokers) n = 434

London casino workers (smokers) n = 125

Palmersheim et al, 2006, Wisconsin bar and restaurant workers** n = 230

Allwright et al, 2005, Ireland bar workers** n = 138

Eisner et al, 1998, California bar workers* n = 53

Wakefield et al, 2005 Victoria casino workers** n = 44

Farrelly et al, 2005, New York bar workers** n = 24

Sensory irritation symptoms

Eyes red or irritated

66

70

52

70

41

42

66

67

Runny nose, sneezing or nose irritation

77

79

72

78

44

60

61

54

Sore or scratchy throat

66

69

54

61

33

25

52

42

Respiratory irritation symptoms

Wheezing or whistling in the chest

38

38

38

31

21

32

20

21

Short of breath

47

47

44

41

16

19

23

17

Usually cough first thing in the morning

35

31

48

43

21

53

23

21

Cough at all during the rest of the day or night

61

59

64

52

38

49

30

29

Bring up any phlegm

44

43

49

53

43

53

25

21

* 45% of the workers were current smokers but results were only presented jointly

** workers were non-tobacco users

Studies were pre-ban in Ireland and New York

Pilkington et al. BMC Public Health 2007 7:257   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-257