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Secondhand smoke: Avoid dangers in the air

Exposure to the toxins in secondhand smoke can cause asthma, cancer and other serious problems. Know what you're breathing — and consider practical steps for clearing the air.

By Mayo Clinic staff

You don't smoke because you understand the dangers — but what about secondhand smoke? Secondhand smoke causes or contributes to various health problems, from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Understand what's in secondhand smoke, and consider ways to protect yourself and those you love from secondhand smoke.

What's in secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke — also known as environmental tobacco smoke — includes the smoke that a smoker exhales (mainstream smoke) and the smoke that comes directly from the burning tobacco product (sidestream smoke). Secondhand smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals, including:

  • Benzene
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Chromium
  • Cyanide
  • Formaldehyde
  • Lead
  • Nickel
  • Polonium

The dangerous particles in secondhand smoke can linger in the air for hours. Breathing secondhand smoke for a short time can irritate your lungs and reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood. Prolonged or repeated exposure to secondhand smoke is all the more dangerous. And it isn't just the smoke that's a concern. The residue that clings to a smoker's hair and clothing, as well as cushions, carpeting and other goods — sometimes referred to as thirdhand smoke — also can pose risks, especially for children.

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References
  1. Samet JM. Secondhand smoke exposure: Effects in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
  2. Samet JM, et al. Secondhand smoke exposure: Effects in children. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
  3. Samet JM, et al. Control of secondhand smoke exposure. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
  4. The health consequences of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke: A report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/report/fullreport.pdf. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
  5. Winickoff JF, et al. Beliefs about the health effects of "thirdhand" smoke and home smoking bans. Pediatrics. 2009;123:e74.
CC00023 March 6, 2010

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