Problem/Objective: Although federal law requires all public schools to be smoke-free, lack of compliance with smoke-free policy is commonly reported. The aims of this study were to describe the indoor fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution in a rural high school and surrounding public venues.

Methods: This cross-sectional, non-experimental study was conducted in Monroe County, Kentucky (pop. 11,756). Fine particle concentrations were measured in the high school and five public venues using MetOne and Sidepak monitors. Data also were collected on the building characteristics, number of people present, and number of burning cigarettes.

Results: PM2.5 concentrations were 19 times higher in the boys' student restroom than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for outdoor air (670 vs. 35 µg/m3). The staff restrooms adjacent to the student restroom where staff did not smoke also showed high PM2.5 levels. Average air pollution inside the public venues was 158 µg/m.3

Conclusions: Air pollution in this rural high school was significantly higher than in Lexington bars prior to their smoke-free law. Strict enforcement of smoke-free school policy and cessation resources are needed to reduce secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. Collaborative school-community campaigns involving parents, students, mass media, and community organizations are effective in reducing the harm caused by tobacco.