Nationally, 467 commercial casinos generated gross gaming revenues totaling $34.13 billion in 2007, paid $5.79 billion in state and local taxes, and employed 360 818 workers who earned $13.8 billion collectively. Casinos should not be exempt from smoke-free workplace laws.Ĭasino gambling is a popular pastime. SHS-induced heart disease and lung cancer will cause an estimated 6 Pennsylvania casino workers' deaths annually per 10 000 at risk, 5-fold the death rate from Pennsylvania mining disasters. Patrons' urine cotinine increased 1.9 ng/mL on average after about 4-hour visits.Ĭonclusions. SHS infiltrated into nonsmoking gaming areas. PPAH and RSP concentrations in casinos were, on average, 4 and 6 times, respectively, that of outdoor levels despite generous ventilation and low smoking prevalence. I measured respirable suspended particles (RSPs), particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAHs), and carbon dioxide inside and outside casinos measured changes in patrons' urine cotinine after casino visits and assessed SHS impact on workers and patrons, using exposure–response models, air quality standards, and odor and irritation thresholds. I assessed air pollution, ventilation, and nonsmokers' risk from secondhand smoke (SHS) in Pennsylvania casinos exempted from a statewide smoke-free workplace law.
