NEW UK VENTILATION STUDY PROVES SUCCESFUL? Joe Browne reacted positively to the study, "we are being told by anti-tobacco campaigners and the Health & Safety Authority that ventilation doesn't clear the smoke. There is ample independent evidence that it can. We are deeply concerned at the way scientific evidence is being presented. The Report on which the proposed smoking ban is based concluded that further scientific research is necessary. There was nobody with ventilation expertise in the Expert Group that reported. The reference to ventilation equipment as being unsatisfactory was based on outdated and redundant standards of just one air change per hour. What we are talking about, and what this research is based on, is a minimum of 12 air changes per hour, which clearly changes the impact of ventilation equipment," continued Mr Browne. "The Government is rushing towards a total smoking ban that is likely to be highly damaging to industry and the economy. This study shows that there are other ways to protect staff. We have already proved this but no-one is listening. We are willing and ready to work with the Minister and his Department to carry out similar research in Ireland in order to come to a sensible compromise that is fair to everyone" concluded Mr Browne. Dr Andrew Geens of the Centre for Consultancy and Professional Development at the University of Glamorgan who managed the research said that "the system was tested as found, and under normal operating conditions so the results are realistic. It is quite clear from these results that this type of ventilation system can work very effectively to clear the smoke and substantially improve working conditions". These results were achieved with affordable technology. The test was also run in December, which shows that fresh air systems can work throughout the
year. The research was carried out at The Airport public house in Wythenshawe, Manchester, which had fresh air ventilation at the rate of about 12 air changes
an hour.
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