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<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in">Contact:
Shauneen Grange <STRONG><U>* In order to receive the full study, please contact
Shauneen.</U></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -0.5in 0pt 38.76pt">Smokefree Idaho
Campaign Coordinator, Coalition for a Healthy Idaho<BR>208-869-3340 / <A
href="mailto:shauneengrange@mybluelight.com">shauneengrange@mybluelight.com</A></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P> </O:P></P>
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style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Coalition for a Healthy Idaho
<BR>Releases Results of Air Quality Studies in Local Bars
<BR></SPAN></STRONG>Bars reach pollution levels 36 times more than outdoor
pollution levels in the Valley</P>
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style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG>Boise,
ID (October 5, 2009) – </STRONG>A new study released today by the Coalition for
a Healthy Idaho (CHI) finds that Treasure Valley bars are, on average, 15 times
more polluted than restaurants covered by Idaho’s smokefree law that protects
many workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. These same bars reach
pollution levels that are 36 times more than outdoor pollution levels in the
Valley.</P>
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style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in">This project
is the first scientifically based study of its type to measure the impact of
smoking on the indoor air quality in local area workplaces, and the effects of
secondhand smoke on workers.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in">Volunteer
researchers in the Treasure Valley conducted the study, supervised by
researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (<A
href="http://www.roswellpark.org/">www.roswellpark.org</A>) in Buffalo, New York
- the national leader in studying effects of secondhand smoke on indoor air
quality. Researchers used state-of-the-art air monitors in bars in Boise,
Meridian and Garden City to measure the levels of fine particle air pollution,
of which secondhand smoke is a major source.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in">The study
found that full-time bar employees in the Treasure Valley are exposed on the job
to more than four times the average annual limits of fine particulate air
pollution recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has
found that these fine particles can penetrate deep into human lungs, causing
serious lung, heart and other health conditions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in">These study
results come as Smokefree Idaho is asking Idaho city councils to pass
comprehensive ordinances that would protect workers from the health hazards of
secondhand smoke by making all workplaces smokefree.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in">“This study
shows precisely why city councils in Idaho should implement comprehensive
smokefree ordinances covering all indoor workplaces and all workers,” said
Shauneen Grange, campaign coordinator of Smokefree Idaho. “The study
demonstrates conclusively that the smokefree air law in Idaho is effectively
protecting the health of workers and patrons from the health effects of exposure
to secondhand smoke in restaurants while those in smoking-permitted bars are
still exposed to hazardous levels of air contaminants.”</P>
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style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><SPAN><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></P>
<H3 style="MARGIN-TOP: 0.1pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.1pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" font-weight:="" roman="" new="" times="">The Coalition
for a Healthy Idaho is a group of more than two dozen organizations working
together to decrease the impact of tobacco on the health of Idahoans. The
Coalition supports Smokefree Idaho – an effort to make </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" font-weight:="" roman="" new="" times="">ALL indoor
public and work places in Idaho 100% smokefree,</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" font-weight:="" roman="" new=""
times=""><O:P></O:P></SPAN></H3>
<P class=Default
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG><SPAN
roman="" new="" times=""><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=Default
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG><SPAN
roman="" new="" times="">Additional Study Details<BR></SPAN></STRONG><SPAN
roman="" new="" times="">The Treasure Valley air monitoring study measured
concentrations of particulate matter in the air smaller than 2.5 microns in
diameter (PM<SUB><SPAN style="POSITION: relative; TOP: 4pt">2.5</SPAN></SUB>).
These tiny particles are released in significant amounts from burning cigarettes
and are easily inhaled deeply into the lungs. They may be carcinogenic (known to
cause cancer) themselves or carry carcinogens on their surfaces. The EPA has
established guidelines for safe levels of PM<SUB><SPAN
style="POSITION: relative; TOP: 4pt">2.5</SPAN></SUB>.<SPAN> </SPAN>High
concentrations of these pollutants are found in secondhand smoke, which causes
lung cancer, heart disease and chronic lung ailments.<SPAN> </SPAN>There
is a direct link between </SPAN><SPAN roman="" new="" times="">PM<SUB><SPAN
style="POSITION: relative; TOP: 4pt">2.5 </SPAN></SUB></SPAN><SPAN roman=""
new="" times=""><SPAN> </SPAN>levels and levels of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH), which are known carcinogens in cigarette smoke.
<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><SPAN><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=Default
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG><SPAN
roman="" new="" times="">How the Testing was Conducted.<SPAN>
</SPAN></SPAN></STRONG><SPAN roman="" new="" times="">A TSI SidePak AM510
Personal Aerosol Monitor was used to unobtrusively sample and record the levels
of respirable suspended particles in the air.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
roman="" new="" times="">In May and June 2009, indoor air quality was assessed
in 19 bars and restaurants in Boise, Meridian, and Garden City, Idaho. Fourteen
of these locations were bars that were not required to be smoke-free according
to state law. The other 5 locations include 4 restaurants that are required to
be smoke-free by law and one bar that was voluntarily smoke-free. </SPAN><SPAN
roman="" new="" times="">Researchers spent a minimum of 30 minutes in each
venue. The number of people inside the venue and the number of burning
cigarettes were recorded every 15 minutes during sampling. These observations
were averaged over the time inside the venue to determine the average number of
people on the premises and the average number of burning cigarettes.<SPAN>
</SPAN>The room dimensions and hence the volume of each of the venues was also
measured and calculated.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN roman="" new=""
times=""><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
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style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG><SPAN><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><SPAN><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center>#<SPAN> </SPAN># <SPAN> </SPAN>#</P>
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style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><O:P> </O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG>About
Coalition for a Healthy Idaho: </STRONG><SPAN class=txtsm>The Coalition for a
Healthy Idaho is a group of organizations and individuals that work together to
decrease the impact of tobacco on the health of Idahoans by reducing exposure to
secondhand smoke through local initiatives to improve Clean Indoor Air,
continuing to educate the public and policymakers on the importance of a
Comprehensive Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, and providing guidance and
information on policy and systems changes in relation to tobacco control and
prevention. For more information, visit <A
href="http://www.chidaho.org/">www.chidaho.org</A> <O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><SPAN
class=txtsm><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG>About
Smokefree Idaho:</STRONG> <SPAN>Smokefree Idaho</SPAN><SPAN> is a
grassroots movement of individuals and organizations who support making all
indoor public and work places 100% smokefree -- including bars -- in order to
protect all workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. For more information,
and to download a full copy of the study, visit <A
href="http://www.smokefreeidaho.org/">www.smokefreeidaho.org</A>
</SPAN><SPAN><O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><SPAN
class=txtsm><O:P> </O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -0.5in"><STRONG><SPAN>About
Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI):</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN> RPCI, founded in
1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and
is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in
upstate New York. For more information, visit RPCI’s Web site at <A
href="http://www.roswellpark.org/">www.roswellpark.org</A>.
<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P><!--EndFragment--><!----><BR><BR>
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