Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is also known as environment tobacco smoke (ETS) or passive smoke and it is a mixture of two forms of smoke from burning tobacco: 1. Sidestream smoke (smoke that comes from a lighted cigarette, pipe, or cigar) 2. Mainstream smoke (smoke that is exhaled by a smoker)
Why should I be concerned?
- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen, which means that there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans. The Group A designation has been used by the EPA for only 15 other pollutants, including asbestos, radon, and benzene.
- Secondhand smoke is estimated by the EPA to cause approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year.
- Secondhand smoke contains essentially all of the same carcinogens and toxic agents as the original inhaled smoke.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke causes irritation of the eye, nose, and throat.
- Secondhand smoke can also irritate the lungs, leading to coughing, excess phlegm, chest discomfort, and reduced lung function.
- It may also affect the cardiovascular system, and some studies have linked exposure to secondhand smoke with the onset of chest pain.
June 27, 2006 The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General.