Compromised Air Quality and Healthcare Safety from Smoking inside Hospitals in Shantou, China

Achieving smoke-free healthcare facilities remains a great challenge in countries with a high smoking prevalence and weak regulation. Assessment of the impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and its constituent PM_2.5 on the air quality in Chinese hospitals has not been reported. In this study, we conducted air quality surveys by measuring real-time PM_2.5 concentrations with Dylos Air Quality Monitors in five tertiary hospitals in Shantou, China during summer (July-August 2016) and winter (November-February 2017). Twenty-eight-day surveys inside the hospitals showed median PM_2.5 concentrations above the China Air Quality Standard in elevator lobbies (51.0 μg/m³, IQR 34.5-91.7), restrooms (40.2, 27.1-70.3), and corridors (36.5, 23.0-77.4). Evidence of tobacco smoking was significantly associated with PM_2.5 spikes observed in all the survey locations, contributing to the air quality undesirable for health in 49.1% of total survey hours or 29.3% of summer and 75.4% of winter survey hours inside the buildings, and 33.5%, 25.7%, and 6.8% of survey hours in doctor offices, nurse stations, and patient rooms, respectively. In conclusion, smoking inside hospitals induces PM_2.5 spikes that significantly compromise the air quality and impose significant health risk to the hospital inhabitants. Reinforcing comprehensive smoking ban with the vested interest of all stakeholders followed by creative disciplinary actions are suggested to ensure healthcare safety.