Channel 11 Uncovers Second-Hand Smoke Dangers

We all know the dangers of cigarette smoke, but second-hand smoke may be just as dangerous.

Every year 13 percent of lung cancer cases occur in people who never smoked.

Waitress Pascal Morganti said, "I think it's a dirty thing, especially in a small restaurant."

Cigarette smoke used to be an occupational hazard for Morganti. Now, she works at the smoke-free Legends restaurant on the North Side.

"I don't smoke, so I personally find that it's rude and unhealthy," said Morganti.

The dangers of cigarette smoke are well known, but how much second-hand smoke are people breathing in?

Channel 11 decided to find out by going undercover with an air monitor called a sidepack.

It measures particle matter 2.5, an air pollutant fueled by cigarette smoke.

The particles are 7 times smaller than a human hair -- practically invisible and get deep into the lungs.

Dr. Davis, director of the environmental oncology center at UPMC Cancer Center, "This is not a scientific survey, but it's rather impressive. What we're seeing here is quiet alarming."

Davis reviewed the air monitor results from 16 Pittsburgh area bars and restaurants.

Since there is no indoor air standard Channel 11 used the EPA's outdoor air quality index for the survey, adjusting the data to compare.

The index ranges from good to hazardous.

Six locations actually hit the hazardous mark including the Squirrel Hill Cafe, Franklin Inn, Barry's Pub and the bar at the Franklin Inn Restaurant.

The Pines Plaza Bowling Alley went off the EPA scale.

Shootz Pool Hall on the South Side was practically empty and still it registered hazardous.

The worst Channel 11 found was Jack's Bar on Carson Street on the South Side

It registered more than three times what the federal government considers hazardous.

Davis said, "That's a public health emergency. If that were outdoors, we'd be calling up the factory and telling them to shut down."

Even the air in non-smoking sections wasn't as clean as you might expect.

At the times Channel 11 tested, the monitor picked up moderate levels of second-hand smoke in non-smoking sections.

There is a push by some to ban smoking in all public places in Pennsylvania.

The plan is opposed by the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association.

Kevin Joyce is the president of the group and owner of the Carlton restaurant downtown.

"If we're talking about work places, should you be allowed to smoke in your home the day the plumbers come? That's his workplace. This is America. This is a legal product. So, why don't we get to the real issue -- why is this product legal?" said Joyce.

Channel 11 contacted several of the restaurants and bars who had the worst readings on the survey. Several simply said a majority of their customers are smokers. A manager at Barry's Pub said they change all of their filters once a month in an effort to keep the air clean.

Click here to view the second-hand smoke testing results of local locations.

More Info: - Air Quality Index - New York City Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment - New York Coalition of Social Smokers - Smoke Free Pennsylvania - Tobacco Free Allegheny - Group Against Smog and Pollution