Most of you have heard of secondhand smoke, also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). You know it as the smoke exhaled by smokers. But there is also the smoke that is given off from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe which contaminates air around it. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 4,000 substances in secondhand smoke of which as many as 250 are toxic, and 50 of those are cancer-causing (carcinogenic). The EPA has determined that there are an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year caused by exposure to secondhand smoke and increased risk of heart disease.Children are especially susceptible to secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing; they breathe much faster than adults do, and they do not have any control over their indoor environment. Secondhand smoke can increase:
- New cases of asthma in kids who have not previously shown symptoms,
- Asthma attacks, and
- The severity of asthma attacks in children that currently have the disease. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) The chance that children will develop middle ear infections The risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections like bronchitis and pneumonia in children younger than six years old
Let us help you. Have a AirAdvice for Homes™ indoor air quality test done today in your home – it’s simple, easy, and is typically offered at low or no cost to you, the homeowner.
AirAdvice indoor air quality tip:
- If you do smoke, move it outside to improve the quality of air inside your home. Avoid smoking near doors and windows.
To find an IAQ expert in your area, click on the Find an Expert button at the top of this page. They can test the air in your home, determine if your heating and cooling systems are sized and functioning properly to minimize smoking particulates, and recommend solutions to better protect your family’s health and well-being.