7/31/2019 Bogus Press Release 06_01

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REPORT: Springfield Indoor Air Pollution Levels Drop 80% AfterImplementation of 2011 Voter-Approved Smoke-free Ordinance

One Air Alliance asks for a NO vote on June 5 to prevent repeal and keep city smoke-free

Springfield, MO, Thursday, May 31, 2012 Indoor air pollution levels plummeted by 80 percent in local indoor publicplaces after implementation of the voter-approved Springfield Smoke-free Air Act of 2011, according to a new report bythe University of Missouri-Columbia. Researchers conducted air quality assessments inside workplaces and publicvenues, both before and after the citys smoke-free ordinance went into effect, and found significant reductions in levels offine particulate matter pollution.

The air quality report for Springfield found that venues allowing smoking before the ordinance went into effect had airpollution levels rated as very unhealthy using the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Air Quality Index. This pre-ordinance rating resulted from an average of 154 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter. Full-time employees inthese venues were exposed to 230% of the EPAs average annual daily limit for this pollutant. Nearly a year after thecitys smoke-free ordinance took effect, an average of 30 micrograms was found in the same public venues acompelling decline.

By itself, fine particulate matter pollution is a serious health concern because these particles are easily inhaled deep intothe lungs and can aggravate respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis,said Jim Blaine, MD, a Springfieldfamily practice physician and One Air Alliance volunteer. However, because tobacco smoke is the primary source of thistype of pollution in indoor settings, high numbers of fine particulate matter are also an indicator of the hundreds of poisonsand cancer-causing chemicals present in secondhand smoke.

The EPA has determined that exposure to this kind of air pollution can be a cause for heart attacks, among other negativehealth effects. Several recent studies, including one from the Institute of Medicine, found an average decline of14 to17% in hospital admissions for heart attacks within the first year among communities that implemented an ordinance forsmoke-free workplaces.

Smoke-free ordinances are first and foremost an issue of public health,added Dr. Blaine. A 14-17% decline in heartattacks documented in other communities is a significant improvement. Not only do smoke-free laws prevent suffering anddeaths, they also prevent avoidable costs of hospitalizations, medications, rehabilitation, lost productivity and lost wages.

Dr. Blaine also noted: Other research has shown that after passing a smoke-free ordinance, the community foundsignificant declines in respiratory symptoms among bar workers for wheezing, shortness of breath, morning cough, andeye and throat irritation. Improvements resulted from the change in work environment no longer were they exposed tosmoke during their work shifts.

On Tuesday, June 5, voters in Springfield will return to the ballot to defend the smoke-free ordinance they approved lastyear. This law protects workers from exposure to proven health risks. One Air Alliance asks voters to Vote NO onQuestion 1 to prevent the repeal of Springfields life-saving ordinance. A NO vote will keep Springfield smoke-free.

About One Air Alliance:One Air Alliance is a grassroots community health coalition comprised of Springfield citizens from all walks of life,including business leaders, healthcare professionals and civic volunteers. The coalition was formed to protect the healthof all people living, working and visiting the Springfield community from the harmful effects posed by secondhand smoke.One Air Alliance promotes the importance of clean indoor air while protecting the right of every individual to breathe cleanair. For more information, the public is encouraged to find us on the web at www.OneAirAlliance.org, on facebook atwww.facebook.com/SpringfieldOneAirAllianceoron twitter at www.twitter.com/OneAirAlliance.

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NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact:Stephen HallE-Mail:stephen.hall@heart.org

Cell: 417.551.1645