The California public is now protected from exposure to ETS in all indoor public workplaces (with a few exceptions), therefore being exposed in your own home has become a greater nuisance for the non-smoking public (85% of Californians). While the indoor common areas of multi-family housing complexes (including hallways, stairwells, and laundry and recreation rooms) are considered workplaces under the State's workplace smoking ban, secondhand smoke(SHS) in adjoining units of an apartment complex or condominium can seep in and expose non-smokers who may then suffer adverse health effects. The California Department of Health Services says that even if apartment residents do not smoke in their home they are still at risk from SHS seepage through shared walls, ventilation systems, doors and windows. According to John Howard MD, Chief of the California Dvision of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL OSHA), SHS can "move through light fixtures, ceiling crawl spaces, and into and out of doorways." This puts tenants at risk for "irritant, allergic, acute and chronic cardiopulmonary and carcinogenic adverse health effects." More Information
Links to more information on ETS exposure in multi-unit housing, and how landlords and tenants can work to reduce exposure are provided below.
Exposure information for tenants and condominium owners
