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Home
> Resources for Patients
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This section is intended to offer patients education and
resources regarding oxygen treatment.
Involuntary
and Far from Innocuous:
The Health Effects of Secondhand
Smoke
July 7, 2008
CancerConsultants.com By Kari Bohlke, ScD
“Today, massive and conclusive scientific evidence
documents adverse effects of involuntary smoking on
children and adults, including cancer and
cardiovascular diseases in adults, and adverse
respiratory effects in both children and adults.”
-
2006 Surgeon General’s report
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke
The full text of the 2006 Surgeon General’s report,
along with fact sheets
about secondhand smoke
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco
Smoking and tobacco information from the Centers for
Disease Control and
Prevention
Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke
The following are some recent statistics on the
estimated number of deaths
and illnesses that occur annually in the United States
as a result of exposure
to secondhand smoke.
Lung cancer deaths 3,400
Cardiac deaths
46,000
SIDS deaths
430
Low birth weight 24,500
Lower respiratory illnesses* (children) 150,000 to
300,000
Asthma episodes (children) 202,300
Visits for ear infections (children) 790,000
*Includes pneumonia and bronchitis
Some of the Harmful Components of Secondhand Smoke
Cancer-causing chemicals:
* Formaldehyde
* Benzene
* Polonium-210 (210Po)
* Vinyl chloride
Toxic metals:
* Chromium
* Arsenic
* Lead
* Cadmium
Poison gases:
* Carbon monoxide
* Hydrogen cyanide
* Butane
* Ammonia
* Toluene
Another Important Cause of Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers:
Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the decay of
naturally occurring
uranium in soil and water. It has no color, odor, or
taste.In the United
States, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer
(smoking is the first).
Worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates that
up to 15 percent of
lung cancers are caused by radon.
For most individuals, homes are the greatest source of
radon exposure. An
estimated one in 15 U.S. homes has high levels of
radon.18 Do-it-yourself radon test kits are available at
many hardware stores, and testing can also be performed
by a professional. If the test identifies high radon
levels, it may be possible to reduce levels by
installing a radon venting system or other measures.
During the construction of new homes, radon-reduction
measures can be built into the house from the start.
For radon information from the Environmental Protection
Agency, visit
http://www.epa.gov/radon.
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