Dealing with Health-Hazards of Second-Hand Smoke in the Hospitality Industry

Lawsuits are becoming more common in the hospitality industry due to the potential hazardous health effects of employees and patrons exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.

Recently, a group of ventilation experts hired by ACGIH and OSHA made a discovery that dilution ventilation, which is something used in just about every mechanically ventilated building does not control secondhand smoke in the hospitality industry, which would include nightclubs, restaurants, bars, casinos, and so on. With this finding, it quickly became apparent that a new and more advanced form of technology was needed.

Although many states now have strict rules about smoking in restaurants, other hospitality industries still have unlimited smoking, which means non-smokers either cannot visit those places or they have to accept that they are placing their health at risk by going. Not only is secondhand smoke a serious problem, but when you consider that proper ventilation is not routinely enforced nor are all codes followed, it is no wonder that people become sick.

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The problem is that even with special sections designated for non-smokers, the smoke still flows in the air breathed meaning the risk of lung cancer, respiratory infection, asthma, and other major illnesses is still very real.

The air nicotine levels for bars, restaurants, casinos, smoking lounges, bowling alleys, and nightclubs is still a huge problem. In fact, even with improved ventilation and new means of control technology, it is still estimated that the risk of lung cancer and heart disease for workers in the hospitality industry is between 15% and 25% MORE than the significant risk level established by OSHA.

Unfortunately, for the individuals working in the hospitality industry, a large majority are stuck. Within this industry, you often find workers that do not have a college degree, single parents that need flexible hours, college students, and other individuals that are not afraid of hard work but unable to work in other industries. For these people, while they love the work they do, they have no choice but to go to work every day and breathe in secondhand smoke.

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The good news is that many of these hospitality workers are now fighting back through lawsuits or lobbying to change laws. While there have been a number of unsuccessful lawsuits over the years filed by smokers against tobacco companies, today we see more and more non-smokers standing up for their rights to enjoy public places without having to put them or their family at health risk.

One such lawsuit was filed that soon became the “mother of all tobacco lawsuits”. With this case, the trial began on September 21 in Washington, DC and after five years, $135 million dollars of public money was spent just in gathering evidence. This lawsuit consisted of the United States Government facing off with the big tobacco companies. However, smaller lawsuits have been cropping up more and more in the past few years from individuals tired of breathing secondhand smoke.

For example, in 1998, there were lawsuits filed from 46 of the states against tobacco companies, resulting in a payout of more than $256 billion. Because more people are speaking out, the U.S. government is paying attention. In fact, governmental lawyers are now supporting non-smokers, trying to prove that tobacco companies committed fraudulent acts by deceiving the public for the past 50 years about the dangers of smoking, let alone secondhand smoke.

The challenge with secondhand smoke and the hospitality industry is that lawyers for major tobacco companies say intent to mislead or defraud non-smokers sets the bar way too high. Although this challenge is massive and will take many years to resolve, what it does show is that workers in the hospitality industry, as well as people that enjoy frequenting these types of establishes are in fact tired of having to breathe polluted air.

In addition to government backing, many organizations have been formed to educate the public about secondhand smoke and to change the rules for public smoking. The new bans that are going into effect here in the United States along with other countries around the globe include tobacco advertising, sponsorship, and promotion. This includes changing the packaging and labeling on tobacco products, rewording deceptive terminology, establishing smoke-free areas within the hospitality industry, fighting tobacco smuggling, increasing tobacco taxes, promoting public health, and other measures to protect non-smokers in the hospitality industry.




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About the author / resource box:
Dr. Craig Donnelly founded BPA Air Quality Solutions / BreathePureAir.com as a result of his experience with his patients, many of whom suffered from allergies, asthma and airborne environmental sensitivities. Having been diagnosed with asthma himself, Dr. Craig understood about the origin of the health consequences many of his patients experienced on a daily basis from breathing contaminated indoor air . BreathePureAir.com specializes in home air purifiers, commercial air cleaners and smoke eaters and industrial air purifiers solutions.

Is Your Gas Furnace Safe?

In most houses, externally vented central furnaces fueled with natural gas pose no indoor pollution problem when properly designed and maintained. However, if there is a faulty exhaust system (like a blocked flue), or if there are cracks and leaks in the pipes or improper adjustment of the burner, or if there is lower air pressure indoors than outside, the furnace can create serious indoor air pollution. If you suspect incomplete combustion or leakage in a gas furnace or other appliance, call your local utility company or a heating contractor who can test carbon monoxide levels. Here are some things you can do to ensure gas furnace safety:

If you have an older gas furnace, install a supplementary induced-draft fan that reduces the possibility of backdrafting. There are also automatic shutoff devices that turn off the furnace if it begins to backdraft. You may want to think about buying a new, energy-efficient furnace.

If you're installing a new gas furnace, choose one of the more efficient models that uses an induced-draft system or brings outside air directly into the combustion chamber.

Have your furnace inspected and your chimney cleared of debris in the fall before starting up the heating system. Among things to look for are holes or open joints in the metal pipe and such obstructions as birds' nests, heavy accumulations of soot, or even pieces of masonry that have broken loose in the chimney flue.

Have a separate flue for each combustion device. Many chimneys are partially blocked because the pipe from a wood or coal stove has been brought into the same flue that vents the furnace. This dangerous arrangement could send gases from both furnace and stove into the house.

Can Pets Have Allergies?

When many of us think of allergies, we, humans, are often the first thing that comes to mind.  There are millions of Americans, alone, who suffer from allergies.  These allergies may be due to food, mold, mildew, as well as the weather.  Although humans are the most common sufferers of allergies, did you know that pets can also develop allergies?  They can.  In fact, dogs are the most common animals that suffer from allergies.

When it comes to determining if your dog or pet has allergies, many individuals do not know how to proceed.  For starters, it is important to look for the symptoms.  In fact, did you know that some pet allergy symptoms are similar to the ones that humans show?  They are.  One of the most commons signs that your pet may have an allergy is if they are constantly itching themselves.  Another sign is that of skin irritation.  With that being said, constant itching and skin irritation often go hand in hand.

Although it is relatively easy for some pet owners to determine if their pets are suffering from allergies, some are still unsure.  If that describes you, you will want to seek medical attention for your dog, cat, or any other pet that may have allergies.  A vet can do a number of tests, as well as examine your dog's skin to determine if they are suffering from allergies.  Before you take your dog to the vet, you are encouraged to write down any questions that you may have or anything that may have caused you concerned.  For example, did your dog start itching after getting into some weeds your backyard?  Did you just change their pet food or give them a new pet toy or a new pet bed?  If so, your vet should know.

Another one of the many reasons why it is a good idea to take your dog or cat to the vet is because you will likely end up doing so anyways.  Many humans are able to stop itching, even when the urge to do so seems uncontrollable.  Pets on the other hand, aren't always able to do so.  If you notice that your dog is itching a specific area of their body for more than two or three days, a visit to the vet may be in order.  The same should be said, if you notice a skin rash or any broken skin.  If left untreated, your pet may develop an infection, which is actually much worse that just having allergies.

As for how your dog or cat can be treated if they do have allergies, it is best that you follow the advice of your vet.  This is because some of the medications prescribed may be for animals only, but some may also be human medications.  The only thing is that not all medications are ideal for dogs; therefore, it is important to follow the advice of your vet.  As for treatment, many prescribe antibiotic and antifungal cream for rashes or infections that may have already developed on the skin.  Other preventative steps will likely be taken.  For example, if your dog is allergic to a specific weed in your backyard, you may need to remove it or keep your dog away from the area.  Although the treatment offered is likely to vary, most options will immediately provide relief to pets that are suffering.