It is common knowledge that secondhand smoke holds many health dangers to anyone unfortunate enough to breathe it on a regular basis. Secondhand smoke refers to smoke that is in the air as a result of other people smoking. All of the chemicals contained in firsthand smoke like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nicotine and benzene are also present in secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke also results in many of the same health consequences as being an active smoker.
Features
Secondhand smoke is considered as dangerous or more dangerous than firsthand smoke because the people breathing it don't have the benefit of a filter. Secondhand smoke can linger in rooms or cars for hours, causing a hazard to anyone unknowingly breathing it. The smoke can eventually settle on furniture, in hair or on clothing where it can continue to cause damage long after the cigarette has been extinguished.
Cancer
The American Cancer Society reports that secondhand smoke is a "known carcinogen" contributing to 3,400 lung cancer deaths per year among nonsmokers in the United States. Cigarette smoke has more than 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which have been identified as cancer-causing. Other cancers like breast and throat cancer have also been associated with secondhand smoke exposure.
Lung Ailments
Lung conditions like asthma and bronchitis are aggravated and worsened by regular exposure to secondhand smoke. The lining of your lungs can become inflamed and irritated by breathing in the smoke, even for relatively short periods of time.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the main risks of smoking and a danger of breathing second-hand smoke as well. Secondhand smoke damages blood vessels and affects your blood circulation, causing less oxygen to get to your heart. The United States sees about 46,000 heart-disease deaths in nonsmokers living with smokers each year, says the American Cancer Society.
Increased Infections
Children who live with smokers have a higher rate of middle-ear infections when compared with kids living in nonsmoking households. Eye and nose irritation, lower respiratory tract infections and chronic coughs that never seem to go away are also common occurrences with kids exposed to secondhand smoke.
