Health Hazards of Second Hand Smoke

Health Hazards of Second Hand Smoke

What is second hand smoke?

Secondhand smoke is “side stream smoke” (smoke from the burning end lit of cigarette) or “mainstream smoke” (smoke that is exhaled from the lungs of a smoker)

When a smoker lights up a cigarette, roughly 80 percent of the smoke burns off into the room and only 20 percent is inhaled. Side stream smoke, then, is more dangerous than mainstream smoke.

What are the contents of Secondhand Smoke?

You may be surprised about the contents of secondhand smoke. From the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, here are the list of some chemicals in secondhand smoke and the other places you can find them:

• Carbon monoxide (also found in car exhaust)
• Arsenic (rat poison)
• Ammonia (window cleaner)
• Acetone (nail polish remover)
• Hydrone cyanide (gas chamber poison)
• Naphthalene (mothballs)
• Formadehyde (embalming fluid)
• Butane (lighter)

In addition, secondhand smoke contains many substances that interferes with normal cell development and function, such as nicotine insoluble particles, such as tar, that the body cannot use and simply build up over time.

A study from the August 2004 British Medical Journal reported that a cigarette releases 10 times the amount of air pollution as a diesel engine. In 1993, the Environmental Protection Agency categorized secondhand smoke in Group A – the most severe form of carcinogen- along with arsenic, mustard gas, and asbestos.

What are the health effects of Secondhand Smoke?

Heart Disease

Exposure to smoke thickens the blood by increasing the production of red blood cells. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of clotting and strokes. Essentially, any activity that limits the amount of oxygen it does have. Furthermore, increased blood platelet activity can damage the walls of the arteries, thereby raising blood pressure and adding even more stress to the heart.

Cancer

Cancer is the second-most common cause o death among people under the age of 85. Secondhand smoke has been linked to several types of cancer, including:

Lung cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths a year of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke. Actually, secondhand smoke is the third-leading cause of lung cancer, behind active smoking and radon gas. Lung cancer kills more women every year than breast cancer, and it is the leading cause of premature death among men.

Nasal sinus cancer

Similar to lung cancer in that it is a respiratory illness, nasal sinus cancer is thought to be caused by the formaldehyde found in secondhand smoke. Though nasal sinus cancer is much less common than lung cancer, it can be a devastating disease because the areas affected, such as the nose, are so visible.

Asthma and Other Respiratory Illness

If you are a nonsmoker with asthma who lives with a smoker, you are courting frequent asthma attacks. Any attempts to asthma-proof your home are virtually worthless if you are constantly exposed to secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke is a known asthma trigger.

In a broader sense, secondhand smoke is linked to just about the condition that involves breathing. From pneumonia and sinusitis to coughs and post-nasal drip, exposure to secondhand smoke can irritate and aggravate your throat and lungs. Even ears are not safe because of their close ties to the sinuses. The Eustachian tube that connects to the nose to the middle ear can easily become infected from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Pregnant mothers exposed to secondhand smoke run a higher risk of having a baby with a low birth weight, but the dangers don’t end there. Involuntary smoking has also been shown to cause SIDS. According to American Cancer Society, as many as 35 percent of all SIDS deaths could be due to secondhand smoke.

More Health Effects from Secondhand Smoke

• Chronic coughing , phlegm, and wheezing
• Chest discomfort
• Lowered lung infection
• Eye and nose irritation
• Severe infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Low birth weight or small at birth for babies of women exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy

What can be done to avoid Secondhand Smoke?

At home:

• Choose to make your home smoke-free. Let your family and friends known that you care about their health and yours.

• If members of your household continue to be smokers, ask them to smoke outside.

• If visitors to your home wish to smoke, ask them to smoke outside

At the workplace:

• Educate your co-workers about secondhand smoke.

• Propose adoption of an effective clean indoor air policy for your workplace, if needed.

• Rally support and assist in adoption of a clean indoor air policy.

• Sample policies and literature presenting facts of special interest to employers about secondhand smoke are available.

• Employers decide to go smoke-free based on many things including (a) learning how it can help their business, (b) comments from customers, and (c) encouragement from employees like YOU.

In the community:

• Many offices and retail business as well as some restaurants have already gone smoke-free. Let these responsible business know that you appreciate this decision.

• When places you visit are not already smoke-free, let them know that you would like them to be smoke-free for the health of their customers and employees.

• Learning more about SHS and hearing from customers and patrons – like YOU- who want clean indoor air is what prompts business to adopt smoke-free policies.

Note: This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis or treatment. If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.

The Medical City offers a roster of competent pulmonologist who may assess and treat people with lung problem.

For any inquiries please call:

PULMONARY DIAGNOSTIC & THERAPEUTIC CENTER

Tel. No.: (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6238

CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP

Tel. No.: (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6444