A new study from researchers at the University of Hormozgan in Iran has identified the safest standing positions in airport smoking lounges to minimize exposure to cigarette smoke.
Despite many U.S. airports shutting down their smoking rooms, these lounges remain common in other airports worldwide.
While smoking rooms are usually equipped with ventilation systems, this research shows that not all spots within these rooms are equally safe.
The findings, published in Physics of Fluids, suggest that the way cigarette smoke disperses inside these lounges is influenced by where smokers stand or sit and the thermal environment in the room.
The researchers created a simulated smoking lounge using computer models. They placed both heated and unheated manikins in the room to mimic the effects of body heat on smoke particles. The ventilation system was designed with three exhaust air diffusers to replicate how air typically flows in a smoking lounge.
The manikins were made to “exhale” cigarette smoke through their mouths and noses, allowing the researchers to observe how the smoke spread and settled in the room.
One key finding was that smokers sitting farther away from ventilation inlets experienced lower levels of pollution compared to those sitting near the inlets. This means that where you stand or sit in a smoking lounge can make a significant difference in your exposure to harmful particles.
Interestingly, the researchers also discovered that body heat affects smoke absorption. “According to the results, body heat causes more cigarette pollution to be absorbed,” said Younes Bakhshan, one of the study’s authors. This means that people who are standing or sitting in positions where their body heat interacts more directly with smoke particles may be absorbing more of these harmful substances.
Bakhshan and his team found that smokers who positioned themselves away from crowded areas or corners with low airflow were less likely to be exposed to high levels of smoke particles. “We suggest that if people have to smoke in the room, empty places are the best to choose,” he added.
The study also provided insights into how smoking lounges could be better ventilated. While previous research suggested that a displacement ventilation system is the most effective, Bakhshan’s team recommends additional measures. They suggest installing exhaust vents not only on the ceiling but also on the walls to enhance airflow and smoke removal.
The researchers emphasize that improving ventilation is not only about protecting non-smokers. “We believe that smokers who go into the smoking room for the sake of others’ health should also be protected from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke,” Bakhshan explained. Their next goal is to explore ways to reduce smoke particles in the air more effectively.
These findings offer valuable information for optimizing airport smoking lounges, potentially improving health and comfort for smokers and non-smokers alike.
