The dangers of second-hand smoke

Working with a bunch of people that smoke can expose you to a lot of second-hand smoke. You don't smoke because you know it causes lung cancer and a handful of other problems, but you are still at risk for these problems if you are working with people that smoke. You might share a car ride with your co-workers that like to smoke in the car on the morning and evening commute. Even though they have the window cracked open, you are still being exposed to second-hand smoke. The good thing about second-hand smoke is that it is 100 percent avoidable.

Second-hand smoke is two-form. There is the side-stream smoke which comes directly from the cigarette itself and then the mainstream smoke which comes from the smoke the smoker exhales. Both forms of smoke are dangerous for anyone else that inhales it. There are over 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke and over 250 of these chemicals are toxic. Some of the dangerous chemicals are arsenic, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, methanol, ammonia, and carbon monoxide.All of these chemicals will irritate your lungs and reduce the oxygen in your blood. The bad part about second-hand smoke is that it can stay in the air for several hours. Breathing in this air for 30 minutes or less can harm your lungs, especially if you do this on a daily basis.

The real dangers behind second-hand smoke include the following:

• Heart Disease


• Cancer


• Lung Disease

The health insurance costs of the employer and the employee will increase if the health insurance company knows the employee smokes. For your own health, quitting smoking is your best option. If your spouse is the smoker, ask them to smoke outside and insist that you have an air purifier in the home.

Cancer is often associated with smoking. Lung cancer will come from overexposure to second-hand smoke and to smoking. Each year over 3,400 people die from lung cancer. These individuals never smoked a day in their life, but they were victims of second-hand smoke. Another type of cancer smoking causes is cancer of the nasal sinuses.

Lung disease is another common symptom of smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke. Bronchitis and asthma are often associated with smoking and they have long been associated with exposure to second-hand smoke. People with lung disease get out of breath quickly when doing any physical activity. They also experience chest tightness throughout the day.

Heart disease leads to heart attacks and damage of the blood vessels. You are at an increased risk for developing blood clots and having poor circulation if you are exposed to second-hand smoke. Sadly over 35,000 people are diagnosed with heart disease each year and that is directly related to second-hand smoke.

The best thing you can do is avoid anyone that smokes. While you may have to work with them, you don't have to stand outside and talk to them while they smoke. If you want to go outside for some fresh air, go far away from the smoker's corner. Even walk around the building so you are constantly getting fresh air.

Ask your employer if they will purchase an air purifier. An air purifier can clean up the air in your office and really reduce respiratory problems. If you ride with people that smoke on their way to work, ask them not to smoke. If they still smoke, consider taking the bus or drive your own car. If you have to ride with them, offer to stop at a rest stop or a gas station where they can smoke and you can run inside for your morning coffee.