PITTSBURGH -- State lawmakers are at a stalemate on a proposed public smoking ban in Pennsylvania.

Some said they want the ban to cover all workplaces, while others demand certain exceptions.

Call 4 Action reporter Aaron Saykin investigated how safe the breathable air is inside smoke-filled bars and restaurants. (Scroll down this page to see the results.)

The undercover investigation looked at 10 random bars and restaurants across Allegheny County -- eight that allowed smoking and two that were smoke-free.

"As a public health professional, I would act right away," University of Pittsburgh's Dr. George Leikauf said. "It's that dangerous."

To test the air quality inside the businesses, Saykin said he used a device called a "TSI side pack," which was borrowed from Group Against Smog and Pollution, a local environment organization.

The device detects fine particles in the air that can settle in a person's lungs, including potentially cancer-causing pollutants released from burned items like cigarettes.

There is no specific federal workplace standard for indoor air quality when it comes to cigarette smoke, but according to the EPA's air quality standards, of the 10 places tested, one business's air quality was considered "unhealthy," two were deemed "very unhealthy" and three registered as "hazardous," which the EPA said it considers an emergency.

The most hazardous average level recorded by the Call 4 Action report was inside Casey's Draft House on the South Side, where air pollution levels were more than 15 times greater than what the EPA considers satisfactory.

"If it was outside, we'd have to shut the city down. I mean, we'd have to literally close the whole town down," Leikauf said.

Also registering as having hazardous air quality were Smokin' Joe's and Shootz Billiards, both located on the South Side, he said.

But it was the levels recorded inside Dave and Buster's at the Homestead Waterfront, which registered as "very unhealthy," that Leikauf said most concerned him.

Many of the customers inside that establishment were children playing video games.

"I wouldn't take my child in there. I'm very concerned," Leikauf said.

Dave and Buster's did not return Call 4 Action's phone calls for comment. Neither did the owner of Smokin' Joe's.

The owner of Shootz Billiards said he tries to keep the air inside his business "as good as possible with air filters."

The owner of Casey's said he too has a good air filtration system, adding, "I was unaware by your standards that the air is unhealthy. We will take appropriate measures to alleviate the problem."

But the head of Tobacco Free Allegheny argued that the results prove that a smoking ban -- and not just better filtration -- is needed.

"Patrons have a choice. Workers really don't, so it really is about a workplace safety issue," Cindy Thomas said.

Mitchell's Restaurant and Bar owner Jim Mitchell, who led last year's movement to defeat a countywide smoking ban, said he would not fight a statewide ban as long as lawmakers passed one with no exceptions. Several owners of businesses that were tested for this story said the same thing.

"I know smoking is bad for you, but all I want is a level playing field. How can smoking be bad in my establishment, but not bad in casinos, little bars and private clubs?" Mitchell said.

Air quality levels inside the two non-smoking bars and restaurants tested were very close to the levels recorded outdoors -- all of which the EPA considered "good."

"We can count the bodies -- today, right now, OK? So, do you want people to die, or do you want people to vote for you?" Leikauf said.

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EPA Air Quality Standards:

0-50 Good
51-100 Moderate
101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
151-200 Unhealthy
201-300 Very Unhealthy
301-500 Hazardous

Call 4 Action Test Results:

1. Don Pablo's in Monroeville
Average: 55 -- "Moderate"

2. T.G.I. Friday's in Monroeville
Average: 106 -- "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups"

3. Rock Bottom at The Waterfront
Average: 155 -- "Unhealthy"

4. Dave and Buster's at The Waterfront
Average: 262 -- "Very Unhealthy"

5. Bar Louie at The Waterfront
Average: 202 -- "Very Unhealthy"

6. Piper's Pub on the South Side (*Smoke-Free)
Average: 27 -- "Good"

7. Casey's on the South Side
Average: 829 -- "Hazardous"

8. Smokin' Joe's on the South Side
Average: 588 -- "Hazardous"

9. Shootz Billiards on the South Side
Average: 354 -- "Hazardous"

10. Eat N Park in Edgewood (*Smoke-Free)
Average: 13 -- "Good"

The outdoor air on E. Carson Street/South Side
Average: 14 -- "Good"

Additional Company Statements:

T.G.I. Friday's
"First and foremost, the safety of our guests is our top priority. We take the air quality very seriously and have several ventilation measures in place including a dedicated exhaust-only system in the bar."
- Derek Farley, Spokesperson

Don Pablo's
"Our buildings are designed to maintain good ventilation... We're always concerned with the safety of not just our patrons, but our employees. We do not allow smoking in the dining room, and we do not allow pipe or cigar smoke."
- Paul Seidman, C.O.O. & Brand President

Rock Bottom
"It is Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery's top priority to ensure that our restaurants are clean and safe at all times for our guests and employees. The equipment to provide this safe environment was approved by and installed per state and local codes, including the addition of optional smoke-eaters.

"All equipment is serviced monthly by certified third party vendors. This service includes ongoing preventative maintenance and completion of any updates needed for the equipment to function at desired levels.

"As a result of the test reported by WTAE-TV, Rock Bottom has initiated an additional independent testing to ensure a safe environment for our guests and employees. "
- Fredrik Nilsson, National Marketing Manager