Everyday Second Hand Smoke
Second-hand smoke: Environmental tobacco smoke that is inhaled involuntarily or passively by someone who is not smoking.1 The 2006 US Surgeon General's Report on The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke concluded that there is "no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke."2 The report states that "secondhand smoke contains many chemicals that can quickly irritate and damage the lining of the airways. Even brief exposure can result in upper airway changes in healthy persons and can lead to more frequent and more asthma attacks in children who already have asthma."2 According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease, and acute respiratory effects.3 A study conducted by the California EPA found secondhand smoke causes almost 50000 deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year, including approximately 3400 from lung cancer and 22700-69600 from heart disease.4 The toxins in secondhand smoke cause respiratory problems, such as wheezing, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, and excessive coughing long after exposure.5 A little exposure goes a long way. 5 minutes: The aorta (the main artery carrying blood from the heart) stiffens. Your heart must work harder to pump blood. 20 minutes: Blood platelets become sticky, cause damage to your heart and arteries, and can lead to blood clots; 30 minutes: Risk for heart attack increases. Coronary arteries show the same damage as in a smoker. The bodys ...
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