Table 2

Fine particulate levels in indoor settings in various studies (some of which were before and after studies around local or national smokefree laws)

Settings
Legally non-smoking settings (Mean PM2.5 in μg/m3)
Settings with smoking permitted (Mean PM2.5 in μg/m3)

Ireland: pubs [28]
6
36
Boston, Massachusetts (USA): bars [29]
8*
179*
Austin, Texas: bars [30]
11
151
Delaware (USA): bars/restaurants (US)** [10]
11
160
New Zealand: All pubs, bars, & restaurants in this study
16
--
Malaysia: bars, nightclubs and discos [31]
22
537
Western New York (USA): bars/restaurants [7]
25
324
Thailand: bars, nightclubs and discos [31]
27
661
20 US states & Puerto Rico: hospitality venues (n = 790) [32]
28
273
Germany: bars/discos (median values) [33]
--
195/869
North West England: pubs [8]
--
286
24-country study of 932 indoor venues [4]
--
317

* Actually "PM3.5", though this is closely related to PM2.5 as described in this study.

** Based on the six bars/restaurants (and excluding the casino and pool hall).

Wilson et al. BMC Public Health 2007 7:85   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-7-85