Environmental monitoring and smoking exposure before and after the designation of non-smoking areas in indoor sports facilities

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of smoke-free legislation in reducing indoor air pollutants, specifically PM2.5, NO₂, and TVOC, in recreational facilities in Korea. A quasi-experimental before-and-after study was conducted in selected indoor venues, with pollutant levels compared pre-and post-designation of non-smoking areas. Monitoring was performed in three billiard halls and three screen golf ranges in Seoul. PM2.5, NO₂, and TVOC were measured using a Grimm 1.108 aerosol spectrometer (Germany), MEZUS-210/ANA-2 and Teledyne M200E (Korea/USA), and a Sibata MP-Σ30 sampler (Japan). Sampling occurred during operating hours, and results were analyzed using non-parametric tests against Korean standards. After implementation, PM2.5 decreased from 42.8 to 18.6 µg/m³, and NO₂ from 148.3 to 57.9 µg/m³, though reductions were not statistically significant. TVOC showed the clearest improvement, falling significantly from 29.2 to 18.4 ppb (p < 0.01). Smoke-free policies substantially reduced indoor pollutants, particularly TVOC, in recreational facilities. While PM2.5 and NO₂ declines were less consistent, the results highlight both the benefits of smoke-free laws and the need for complementary interventions such as improved ventilation and continuous monitoring. © 2026 The Korean Society of Environmental Health and Toxicology/Korea Society for Environmental Analysis.