Study Shows Air Quality In Lexington Bingo Halls Unsafe

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Posted: 10:11 AM Jul 10, 2008
Last Updated: 3:50 PM Jul 10, 2008
Reporter: Wendy Enneking
Email Address: wendy.enneking@wkyt.com

15 comments

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A new study by the University of Kentucky says Lexington bingo halls are unsafe due to secondhand smoke.

Five bingo halls in Lexington were tested in the study. Researchers found that indoor air pollution in the halls was 6.8 times higher than the national air quality standard for outdoor air.

Pollution levels were also 13 times higher in the bingo halls than in venues in Lexington that are smoke-free. The study's author says this shows those who play bingo are exposing themselves to dangerous toxins.

Ellen Hahn, a Professor at U.K. College of Nursing says, "What people don't realize is when air pollution is 35 micrograms per cubic meter, the EPA would come to Lexington to shut down our manufacturing facilities. And on a typical day, we're about 16 or 17 outside so in our bingo halls, we're greatly higher than that, 7 times higher than that."

The results of this study will likely be used in the ongoing debate as to whether bingo halls and the high school booster clubs, that raise money at the halls, should be exempt from Lexington's non-smoking ordinances.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Jul 13, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Andy in Pikeville - Openning widows? Is what you typed a sentence? Wow...

Posted by: anonymous Location: Lexington on Jul 13, 2008 at 06:55 AM
I am glad they came out with something b/c a lot of these school organizations will make you and your child work rather than donate the money. Years ago a parent wanted to donate the money for her daughter NOT to work the bingo for a local high school cheering squad that has won many championships and they told her the girl was required to work it and that was not an option.

Posted by: Winston Location: Salem on Jul 12, 2008 at 02:25 PM
You say potato, I say yo momma.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jul 12, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Earwig of Prestonsburg, you question others mentality; I would suggest they question your morality.

Posted by: Andy Location: Pikeville on Jul 12, 2008 at 05:12 AM
Did you ever hear of openning a widow.thats all we need is more something for nothing Democrats ,with thier nose's stuck up our rumps.

Posted by: Earwig Location: Prestonsburg on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:07 PM
The mentality that it takes to know that a smoky room is dangerous to your health is about the same mentality it takes to play bingo.

Posted by: N/A Location: KnottCo. on Jul 11, 2008 at 11:58 AM
What a waste of money. Maybe the next study should be about "common sense". Do the people that come up with a study such as this one have nothing better to do?

Posted by: Mike Salem on Jul 11, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Hey Joe Camel - Iron - a type of metal. Iorn - not found in the dictionary...LOL!

Posted by: Steve Location: KY. on Jul 11, 2008 at 04:36 AM
The air in New York city and LA is polluted too. Why don't they shut these cities down? When all the facists wipe out smoking, maybe they can start on this!!

Posted by: Joe Camel Location: Iorn LUNG on Jul 11, 2008 at 03:48 AM
Waist, the place where your belt goes. Waste, using something in an unwise manner.

Posted by: KentuckyGuy Location: Bluegrass on Jul 11, 2008 at 02:12 AM
These UK studies are getting a little ridiculous. How about the good old days when UK was doing research on the sperm counts of race horses. If UK is top 20 in research, I hate to think what research is being down at the bottom 20.

Posted by: Joe Location: Taxpayer on Jul 10, 2008 at 04:33 PM
I am a little confused…where is the data supporting Ms. Hahn’s obvious biased statement. My research from the EPA shows that microgram air pollution in manufacturing depends on what is being manufactured. Did she make this up for the drama? Did WKYT check her facts (other than her notes) before they aired her statement? I agree that a grant (paid for by our tax dollars) is such a waist. Maybe instead of grants that study bingo hall smoking, we should have more grants on the $4 plus per gallon gas. I wonder if WKYT would provide us all with the contact information of the politicians and lobbyist that sponsored or supported this grant. I really would like to know who they are before the next election. With all the financial problems UK is having with a hiring freeze, layoffs and no raises this year, I am sure they could find something more productive for Ms. Hahn to do.

Posted by: Pete Location: Lexington on Jul 10, 2008 at 03:44 PM
It's no big surprise to any reasonable person that allowing smoking in a confined space will cause the air to be unacceptable. That's why bans are required in pretty much all indoor areas. There should certainly be no smoking allowed in anyone's workplace. The effects of secondhand smoke have been shown to be very unhealthy many times. This air quality study just backs that up. How hard is it for smokers to take their breaks outside to spare the air, and also to spare the health of the 80 percent who don't smoke?!

Posted by: Lowell Location: Lexington on Jul 10, 2008 at 02:33 PM
I'll tell you all exactly what this is all about. Ellen is looking for more pats on the back from her fascist buddies at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. I'm sure she's feeling quite embarrassed by the fact that her crusade didn't completely wipe out smoking in Lexington. They probably snubbed her at the last Little Facist Convention. Hopefully since she doesn't have Mikey in her pocket this time, her spew will fall on deaf ears. But I'm telling you people that this pale sad little woman and all her kind are dangerous, very dangerous. Can you imagine how much fun it would be to be her kid ?!?

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Jul 10, 2008 at 01:36 PM
What am I missing here? This is not news. This is a private organization that people PAY to come in the door. It's like a bar, I don't particularly care for them or the blight on society they cause with alcoholism, but I know that people have the right to do what they want and if they want to go in there and pay for alcohol, who am I to stop them? If you want to play bingo but don't like smoke, then go to a smoke-free bingo hall (they do exist too). However, from what I hear, the fact that the air quality is bad hasn't driven away their players, probably because they are mostly smokers or those who don't care either way.

Posted by: Gary Location: Lexington on Jul 10, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I was in a bingo place not too long ago, and I didnt see anyone handcuffed to they're seats. I believe they're is a lot of bored people in this State. Get a job.

Posted by: Ohmygoodness Location: what? on Jul 10, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I cannot believe that money was spent on a "STUDY" to see if the air in bingo halls was unsafe. Use your common sense and you could determine, on your own, that it is not! What a waste of time and money!

Posted by: bruce Location: lexington on Jul 10, 2008 at 12:17 PM
OH boy UK does some research of a bingo hall, What for????? Hey UK try doing somehting with Coal you know the black rocks in Eastern KY. Top 20 research try researching something that will improve the state; what have you done with Coal? I believe NOTHING.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jul 10, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I always take my portable oxygen system with me when I go to the bingo hall. Only had one incident where my oxygen tank exploded when I lit my cigarette. Thank goodness there was so little oxygen in the room that the ensuing fire was smothered due to lack of oxygen. Just singed my eyebrows a little.

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