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Filter Ventilation and Design

A PROJECT TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE (ETS) ON THE AIR QUALITY WITHIN RESTAURANTS

Date: 12 Mar 1986
Length: 10 pages
80416135-80416144
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Abstract

Proposes study to quantify levels of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in restaurants with and without separate smoking sections, using covert briefcase system. Includes estimated labor hours and costs.

Fields

Type
Proposal
Chart/Graph/Table
Company
Lorillard
Author
Oldaker, G.B. III
Named Organization
R.J.Reynolds
Thesaurus Term
Personal Monitors
ETS Exposure Assessment
Restaurants
Smoking Sections
Industry Sponsored Research

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SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL A PROJECT TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE (ETS) ON THE AIR QUALITY WITHIN RESTAURANTS 12 March 1986 An intercompany project is proposed which would provide quantitative information regarding levels of ETS in restaurants with and without sections for smokers. ETS would be estimated from measurements of nicotine, respirable particulate matter (RSP), ETS-indicative particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. Samples would be acquired unobstrusively with systems contained within a brief case. Each company would operate two sampling systems during the project. The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company would be responsible for analyzing the samples and coordinating the project. A minimum of ten investigations would be performed by each company over a period of ten weeks. The capital cost for participation is estimate&at $14,000; labor for the field phase is estimated to be 300 man-hours.
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I PROPOSAL A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE (ETS) ON'THE AIR QUALITY WITHIN RESTAURANTS 12 March 1986 Prepared by Guy B. Oldaker III R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY BOWMAN GRAY TECHNICAL CENTER WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27102
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1.0 INTRODUCTION As a public issue, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has received increased attention from special interest groups, the judicial system, and regulatory bodies. The issue continues to be the source of controversy owing primarily to the fact that few quality data exist relative to the effect of ETS on indoor air quality. This proposal addresses an intercompany projiect which would provide the tobacco industry with inf ormation regarding the effect of ETS in one public environment, namely restaurants, where the ETS controversy is evidenced by the common practice of segregating smokers from non-smokers. The proposal, however, does not restrict efforts to this one environment. Accordingly, the approach is sufficiently general to allow expansion of the project's scope to other environments if the participants are so inclined. The objectives of the proposed project are threefold: (a) to characterize levels of ETS in restaurants in general and in designated smoking,and no-smoking sections in particular, (b) to acquire expertise in connection with the measurement of ETS and the interpretation of results, and (c) to present a unified~response relative to the ETS issue. The advantages of the proposed project are many. By working together, the participants can obtain a more than adequate number of data from which to address the issue; furthermore this data base can be acquired cost effectively. Similarly, the intercompany approach woul&facilitate the transfer of expertise among the participants. It can be expected that other groups investigating ETS will view the industry's unified stance as a signal of resolve in addressing the issue as active participants rather than as criticall by-standers. This recognition of active participation may in turn lead to a general enhancement of data quality. Finally, the possibility also exists that public opinion may be favorably impressed. 2.0 ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS It is proposed that the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJRT) have primary administrative responsibility for the project. Responsibilities would include: (a) preparing technical the protocol that details the administrative and aspects of the projiect, C ~ (b) providing communicationiand correspondence among the project's N participants, ~ M1+ (c) serving as the clearinghouse for results acquired by the W participants, (d) providing quality assurance oversight in connection with data acquisition activities, and (e) preparing reports which address the study. 2
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3.0 TECHNICAL APPROACH 3.1 Project Protocol Before field measurements are made, a written protocol will be prepared which addresses the overall conduct of the project. IncLude& in the protocol would be discussions pertaining to: (a) the project's objectives and general approach; (b) the design and operation of the sampling system; (c) criteria for use in locating the sampling system; (d) supplementary information which would be obtained during s ampli ng ; (e) documentation of measurement data and supplemental information; (f) the procedure for delivering samples, data, and information to RJRT; and (g) quality assurance practices and criteria. It is expected that the protocol would first be prepared in draft form and d'istribute6to the participating,companies for technical review and comment. Comments would be collected by RJRT who would make revisions in response to the comments and then distribute the revised protocol for final approval. The use of one written protocol during the project's implementation would ensure a consistent approach, and data completeness and quality. In addition, its use would greatly facilitate the reduction of data and the interpretation of results. 3.2 Sampling,Approach Sampling would be performed with an unobstrusive, battery operated system contained in a typical briefcase. Each participating company would be responsibile for operating two samplers. This number is proposed because it would allow assessments of the effectiveness of segregation as a mitigation strategy by allowing samples to be obtained concurrently in the smoking and no-smoking sections. Each briefcase would be capable of sampling ETS-nicotine, respirable particulate matter (RSP), and ETS-indicative particulate matter and monitoring carbon monoxide (CO), ambient temperature and barometric pressure. (A prototype system having these capabilities has been developed and successfully field teste&by RJRT.) The capability to monitor relative humidity is being considered and also would be incorporated' in the sampler if such proves to be technically and practically feasible.
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Sample collection for ETS-nicotine and particulate matter species entails the use of (a) sorbent tubes and (b) impactors and membrane filters, respectively. Constant flow pumps are used to draw samples through these collection devices. Persons performing the sampling would be responsible for installing and retrieving,the collection tubes and filters; these operations are simple and quick. After acquisition, ETS-nicotine and particulate matter samples woul'd be stored in a freezer and subsequently shipped by air in insulated containers to RJRT for analysis. Data relative to CO concentration, ambient temperature, barometric pressure, and sampling times are logged by a programmed data logger, which is also contained within the briefcase. These data are transferred simply to cassette tape, which with other written data and information which would be delivered to RJRT (after back-up copies had been made). RJRT would reduce the data and compile the results. Persons conducting the sampling would also be responsible for obtaining supplemental information, the details of which would~be defined during the preparation of the protocol. It is expected that the supplemental inf ormation would relate to items such as: (a) architectural aspects of the restaurant, such as the room dimensions, the location of ventilation ducts, windows, and doors: (b) the number and relative locations of smokers and other sources of CO and particulate matter: and (c) activity patterns during the sampling runs that might affect the results. It is proposed that the study involve at least ten sampling runs. This proposal assumes that five companies would participate in the study and that each~run would entail the use of two samplers; thus, a minimum 100 samples could be obtained. This number is conservative and reflects the consideration that samples coul&be lost as a consequence of factors such as human error, unacceptable quality, and force majeure. It is expected, nonetheless, that the resultant, quality data base will offer a clear indication of the effect of ETS on air quality by reducing the relative importance of variables which~are impractical to control. (Such variables include, for example, the architectural aspects of the indoor environment where measurements are made; such aspects would vary among restaurants.) 3.3 Documentation Standardized forms would be used for data collection activities which are impractical to automate. It is expected that forms would be used for documenting the supplementali information described in Section. 3.1 and the results of quality assurance activities performed internal to each participating company. In addition, samples wouldibe stored and shipped in envelopes bearing inf ormation regarding idlentifi'cation and quality. The forms would be structure&in a manner which ensures that information is acquired completely and simply; for example, a check-list approach would be favored. 4
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3.4 Transmission of Samples and Information The proposed project would entail a two-way exchange between RJRT and each of the other participating companies. Prior to the start of the fiel&phase of the project, an adequate supply of collection devices for particulate matter would be prepared at RJRT and shipped by quick and reliable means to the participants. During the field phase of the study, samples and information would be delivered similarly to RJRT. Because the nicotine samples deteriorate when exposed to heat and light for periods greater than 24 hours, these samples would need to be shipped in insulate&containers. 3.5 Quality Assurance Quality assurance (QA) would be an integral part of the project, with implementation occurring at both the company level and the administrative level. At the company level, QA activities would consist primarily of periodic checks of the calibrations of the pumps use& for acquiring the nicotine and particulate matter samples. These checks are simple and involve little time. For example, one check can typically be performed in 15 minutes. Periodic calibrations of the CO detectors would also be necessary. The details of these calibrations have not yet been established. The nature of the calibration materials needs to be determined. At the administrative level, QA would take the form of oversight an&coord'ination. Using QA criteria established by protocol, RJRT would assess which data were acceptable for compilation~in the body of results. Additionally, RJiRT'would monitor the quality of data provided by the participates and would provide quick feedback to each regarding the state of quality control. 4.0 LABOR An estimate of the labor per participating company for the project is shown in Table 1. The estimate does not reflect labor associated with project start-up, for example, labor involved in the review of and comment on the project's protocol. The man-hours shown are considered to be upper estimates, because some of the activities can, in practice, be combined. Under the admi'ni~strative category, communication would involve for the most part participating in telephone conversations with coordinating personnel at RJRT andkeeping abreast of memoranda addressing the project's status. Logistics refers to the efforts which would be necessary to select restaurants; coordination represents the efforts associated'with~(a) implementing each sampling run in the field, (b) managing the preparation and transmission of reports, and (c) ensuring that quality control is maintaine&.
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Under the technical category, sampler preparation refers to the efforts involved relative to installing sorbent tubes and filters and checking the sampling system to ensure that it is in~proper working order. The estimate given for sampling assumes that two persons woul&conduct the sampling. In addition, the estimate includes travel time to and from the restaurant. The estimate for recording and recordkeeping reflects the time which could be spent in: (a) ensuring the completeness and accuracy of data forms; (b) assessing and reporting the quality control status of measurement results (based upon the quality assurance activities represented by 2 (d)QA); (c) providing verbiage to supplement the data and information on the standard forms; and (d) organizing the information for transmittal to RJRT. QA activities, as currently envisioned, would entail calibration checks of the sampling pumps and CO detector. 5.0 CAPITAL COSTS The estimated capital costs which~each participating company could incur are itemize&in Table II. The greatest share of the total cost is associated with~the sampling systems. The film flow meter and barometer are materials needed in order to conduct the calibration checks of the sampling pumps. The estimates include the costs for fabricating the samplers. 6.0 PROJ'ECT'SCH'EDULING Table III shows the proposed scheduling for the project. The receipt of materials represents the greatest constraint on the schedule. Ideally, the sampling systems would be delivered to the participating companies at the outset of the protocol's development. Based upon past experience, however, it is anticipated that delivery of materials will follow the placement of orders by at least 60 days. Every effort would be made to draft the protocol in a manner which allows an adequate review without the need to refer to the actual sampling system. Ten weeks are provided to conduct the field phase of the project. This timeframe anticipates that one test would be performed per week. A weekly schedule is considered reasonable in~view of the time associate&with obtaining the samples, transmitting the samples and results, analyzing the samples, and compiling and interpreting the results. A tighter schedule would~ be attended with the risk that quality would be compromised. The schedule shows that a report would be prepared that addresses the results from~the study. Whether a report would actually be prepared would be based upon the wishes of the participating companies. 6
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TABLE I. Estimated Labor for Project ESTIMATED MAN-HOURS a. Administrative (a) Communication (b) Logistics (c) Coordination 2. Technical (a) Sampler Preparation (b) Sampling (c) Recording & Reporting (d) QA 3. Clerical One Sampling Run Project (Ten~ Sampling Runs)~ Total 1.5 30 2 20 70 2 20 2 20 8 80 8 80 200 2 20 2 20 2& TOTAL 29&
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TABLE II. Estimated Capital Cost for Project Cost for One Cost for Set Sampler of Two Samplers ITEM ($) ($) 1. Briefcase 45 90 2. Data Logger 2600 5200 3. CO Detector 1515 3030 4. Thermistor 45 90 5. Pressure Transducer 90 18& 6. Pumps (2) 1780 356& 7. Impactor 340 68& 8. Miscellaneous (foam~, tubing, wiring, etc) 60 120 9. Data Tapes NA 20 10. Cassette Recorder NA 60 11. Film Flowmeter NA 120. 12. Barometer NA 60 13. Expendables a) Sorbent Tubes NA 180 b) Batteries NA 2-0 c) Filters NA 100 d') Filter Packs NA 150 TOTAL $13,440
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TABLE III. Scheduling for Project 1986 MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV 1. Proposal meeting 13* 2. Draft protocol distributed 25 3. Comments received 9 4.. Samplers distributed 26 5. Final protocol distributed 30 6. Meeting to discuss protocol 9 7. Start project's field phase 20 8. End field phase of project 9. Draft report distributed 10. Comments received 11. Final report distributed 12. Meeting to discuss project's results * Numbers represent dates 29 10 24 14 21 PL,19LtiO9

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