Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-95-0375-2590, Bally's Park Place Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Authors
Trout-D; Decker-J
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 95-0375-2590, 1996 Jul; :1-22
Abstract
In response to a request from employees at the Bally's Park Place Casino Hotel (SIC-7011), Atlantic City, New Jersey, an investigation was begun into exposure to second hand tobacco smoke among the employees. The casino employed about 800 persons who work on the casino floor, with about 330 full time dealers and 180 dealer supervisors. Workers in the gaming areas had more environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure than a representative sample of the US population. The mean serum cotinine (486566) levels of the casino workers in this study were 1.34 nanograms/milliliter (ng/ml) (preshift) and 1.85ng/ml (postshift). Workers at the nonsmoking tables did not appear to have any decrease in their exposure to ETS. The nonsmoking tables were generally located directly adjacent to tables where smoking was permitted. No significant correlations were found between cotinine levels and either air nicotine (54115) concentration or reported ETS exposure. The authors recommend that workers not be involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke. The best method for controlling worker exposure was to eliminate tobacco use from the workplace and to implement a smoking cessation program for employees. Until tobacco use can be completely eliminated, the authors recommend that areas where smoking is permitted be isolated and provided with dedicated ventilation.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-95-0375-2590; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-2; Indoor-air-pollution; Air-quality-control; Tobacco-smoke; Ventilation-systems; Entertainment-workers; Indoor-environmental-quality
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB97-136923
Identifying No.
HETA-95-0375-2590
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
