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During 2013 and 2014, 1 in 4 US nonsmokers reported a secondhand smoking exposure and an estimated 41,000 adult nonsmokers' deaths were linked to secondhand smoke.
"Secondhand smoke exposure is an important public health issue." "Dr. Sara Luckhaupt, a study author and preventive medicine physician. Cincinnati, said in an email. Luckhaupt is also a medical officer for the CDC.
Just over 10% of people reported to work at a job or a week or more. But some jobs have it worse than others.
In the commercial and industrial machinery and equipment industry, 65% of people reported secondhand smoke exposure, the most of any industry measured. The construction industry had 2.9 million.
"Luckhaupt said," The industries with the highest prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure and the highest number of exposed workers are unlikely to be protected by smoke-free laws.
People who lived in states with smoke-free labor laws had less frequent secondhand smoke exposure.
The study looked at states with smoke-free policies in three places: bars, restaurants and private worksites. Nonsmoking workers in all countries were less likely to report exposure to workplace secondhand smoke – 8.6%. In states with a smoke-free policy in only one place, 12.2% reported frequent exposure to workplace secondhand smoke.
In states with no restrictions, 11% of people reported to be exposed to smoke.
Previous studies have shown similar secondhand smoking exposure. "There are marked disparities in secondhand smoke exposure," said Brian King, a deputy director for the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, who was not involved with the study. "There are geographical variations … and higher rates of secondhand exposure in areas with lower levels of smoke-free policies."
For the new study, from 15,998 US employees, ages 18 and older, who took the 2015 National Health Survey Interview with the Occupational Health Supplement.
The study had some limitations, including smaller sample sizes and the distribution of industries by state. Participants self-reported their secondhand exposure, which could bias findings. Studies on secondhand smoke exposure are also limited to e-cigarettes, according to King.
But the study's findings show that the "implementation of workplace smoke-free policies" can help reduce the risk of exposure.
"Secondhand smoke exposure is responsible for over 40,000 deaths per year in this country," said King. "Even brief levels of exposure can be harmful."
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