The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that a Government worker who is hypersensitive to smoke is “environmentally disabled” and thus eligible for disability benefits, when working in a smoke-filled environment.  Her employer was ordered either to provide her with a smoke-free work environment or to pay her disability benefits.  See “U.S. Worker Wins Right to Smoke-Free Area,” New York Times, October 23, 1982, sec. 1, page 6.  [Ed. note: In 1984, Parodi received an out-of-court settlement that provided for full disability retirement pay of $500 per month and a $50,000 lump-sum payment.

690 F.2d 731 (CA 9 1982), as amended, 702 F.2d 743 (CA 9 1983).