Non-Smoking Rooms Do Not Protect Travelers from Smoke, Study Finds
Buffalo, NY (PRWEB) July 19, 2013 -- Non-smoking travelers may be inhaling more second-hand smoke than they think, even if they book a non-smoking room for healthy travel.
A study published May 13th in the medical journal, Tobacco Control, observed elevated nicotine levels in non-smoking rooms at 30 California hotels where smoking was allowed. The level of nicotine on surfaces and in the air was highest in smoking rooms, but was also significantly higher in non-smoking rooms compared to levels found at smoke-free hotels.
Georg Matt, a psychologist at San Diego State University who led the study, suggests it is possible that some non-smoking rooms are contaminated by guests smoking in them. But he also believes that cigarette smoke can seep into non-smoking rooms from other parts of the hotel.
Nicotine residues and other toxins found in cigarette smoke “don’t stay in the smoking rooms,” says Matt. “They end up in the hallways and in other rooms, including non-smoking rooms.”
Regardless of where smoke comes from, the researchers believe the implications of their study are clear. “Partial smoking bans in hotels do not protect non-smoking guests from exposure,” they write.
A smoke-free policy throughout the hotel would offer one potential solution to this problem. Several large chains such as Marriott, Westin and Comfort Inn have gone completely smoke-free over the past few years, although such policies are not currently as prevalent as they are in bars and restaurants.
Brian Brault, CEO of PURE Solutions, which creates hypoallergenic rooms at more than 300 hotels nationwide, recommends non-smoking travelers choose a smoke-free hotel for healthy travel whenever possible. He also suggests that non-smokers can benefit from staying in a PURE Room when this option is not available.
“While PURE’s hypoallergenic technology is most effective in a smoke-free environment, PURE Rooms also drastically reduce the level of surface and airborne irritants in hotels that are not yet smoke-free.”
PURE Solutions also installs specially treated smoker-friendly rooms, which may protect against the spread of toxins to non-smoking rooms by diminishing them in rooms designated for smokers.
Only a few years ago, smoke-free hotels were almost completely unheard of. As Americans become more and more aware of the dangers of smoking, hotels and hospitality companies like PURE Solutions are working to provide healthy travel options for clean and breathable air.
About PURE Solutions
PURE Solutions creates and installs allergy-friendly rooms at more than 300 hotels nationwide. Dedicated to providing clean, breathable air for everyone, PURE utilizes their patented 7-step process to convert ordinary hotel rooms into hypoallergenic PURE Rooms. This technology eliminates and protects against 98-100% of viruses, bacteria and other harmful airborne irritants, creating an environment that is not only safer and more comfortable for allergy-sufferers, but is also more refreshing and rejuvenating for anyone traveling away from home. In addition to their allergy-friendly hotel rooms, PURE is eager to expand its offerings to include gyms, offices, classrooms and daycare facilities. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.pureroom.com
Kevin Arnold, PURE Solutions NA, http://www.pureroom.com, 716-206-1216, [email protected]
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