24 may 2011 allen secondhand smoke 5-23final version[1]

8/3/2019 24 May 2011 Allen Secondhand Smoke 5-23FINAL VERSION[1]

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/24-may-2011-allen-secondhand-smoke-5-23final-version1 1/10

Allen Carpenter th10007ENG 2 Writing Assignment

1

The Effects of Secondhand Smoke

By Allen Fitzgerald Carpenter

ENG 2 Assignment 8

Dr. Alice Jewell24 May 2011




2

The Effects of Secondhand Smoke

OUTLI NE

Thesis Statement: Secondhand smoke is a lethal combination of poisons andcarcinogens that can cause disease and damage lungs, respiratory system and heart of both adults and children.

I. Introduction

II. Secondhand Smoke and Cancer A. Cancer

1. Statistics of Cancer 2. Cancers caused by smokingB. Breathing Problems

1. Asthma2. Influenza

III. How Secondhand Smoke Can Affect Health A. Sudden Infant Death SyndromeB. Chronic respiratory symptoms

IV. The Risks of Secondhand Smoke to Non Smokers A. Continual exposure to ETSB. Heart disease mortality

V. Conclusion




3

Th e Effects of Second h and Smoke

Secondhand smoke is a lethal combination of poisons and carcinogens that can

cause disease and damage lungs, respiratory system and heart of both adults and

children. There is a need to discuss secondhand smoke and its effects on non smokers

plus address that there is no real risk free level of exposure to secondhand smoke and

its effects. Secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and

children, including severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections and sudden infant

death syndrome (SIDS). The following paper will outline specific details to support my

concerns on this topic.

First, secondhand smoke causes cancer and breathing problems for people of

all ages which will be covered in the following paragraph. ³There are over 4000

chemical compounds in secondhand smoke, 200 of which are known to be poisonous,

and upwards of 60 have been identified as carcinogens.´ (Martin) Smokers smoking

cigarettes by inhaling smoke that contains these carcinogens and then exhaling the

smoke, which floats in the air around other people non smokers, allows for smoke to

enter the respiratory system of these non smokers are exposed to the poisonous

secondhand smoke.

Next, Secondhand smoke is an instrumental part of many health problems which

you might not be familiar with. The exposure to secondhand smoke increases the

chances of lung cancer among non smokers. Cancer is most commonly linked with

smoking: around 85 to 90% of all lung cancers are caused by smoking according to theCancer Research UK, or as a result of contact to secondhand smoke. ³As a result of its

poor detection methods, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death,

responsible for around 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths in the UK.´(Cancer Research UK) The

relationship between long-term cigarette smoking and lung cancer was established back

in the 1950s. Continued medical studies about smoking and its effects over the last forty




4

years have shown the effect of exposure to secondhand smoke and the risk of

developing lung cancer among non smokers. The following information points out why it

is so important to avoid smoking and also have bans in place to protect the non

smokers. We should not have to breathe in air polluted with smoke from cigarettes and

cigars.

Now let us look at the statistics regarding secondhand smoke on people¶s

health especially cancer. There are no combined global figures available at the moment,

but from reliable sources it is shown that the number of cancer victims is high. As made

known on the American Cancer Society website that in the United States, each year

secondhand smoke is to blame for an estimated 3,400 lung cancer deaths in non-

smoking adults and other breathing complications for non smokers which includecoughing, mucus buildup, chest pains, and reduced respiratory functions. It seems low

when compared to regular smokers; however it does provide sufficient data to show that

non smokers are also at risk from the deadly smoke of cigarettes.

As we can see, breathing of secondhand smoke can lead to cancer,

other physical health problems and create many problems with the respiratory system.

Now, looking at the respiratory problems associated with secondhand smoke for people

all who do not smoke. The respiratory system is a complex system that continuously

works to supply oxygen to our body through the complicated intake into our lungs and

transferred by the blood system. ³The human respiratory system, working in conjunction

with the circulatory system, supplies oxygen to the body's cells, removing carbon

dioxide in the process. The exchange of these gases occurs across cell membranes

both in the lungs and in the body tissues.´ ( UXL Encyclopedia of Science) The process

of breathing, demonstrates the human¶s ability to inhale and exhale air for life. Our

human respiratory system consists of the respiratory tract that includes the nose, windpipe and the lungs (external respiration). In addition secondhand smoke even destroys

our body tissue (internal respiration) when we are breathing smoke. A person breathing

secondhand smoke may possibly have the following symptoms like runny nose,

sneezing and coughing. There are other groups of people highly exposed to

secondhand smoke that may have even more severe difficulties and problems. ³Those




5

at risk for severe problems are fetuses and newborns, children and teens and people

with asthma or other respiratory conditions.´ UXL Encyclopedia of Science) All other

non-smokers are also at risk. .The available details concerning solid numbers of victims

of respiratory problems associated with secondhand smoke are not easy to resource,

but the American Cancer Society has documented that secondhand smoke is

responsible for 50,000 to 300,000 lung infections yearly. The high number of victims

demonstrates that exposure to secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems

related to the lungs and breathing. The respiratory system will be attacked by the

secondhand smoke, which can lead to illnesses and breathing difficulties like asthma

which is followed in more detail.

In addition, we can see that asthma is a serious concern when looking at the

dangers of secondhand smoke especially in children. It seems to add to the dangers

and risks of children during the important development stages. ³Children are particularly

vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke because they are still developing

physically, have higher breathing rates than adults, and have little control over their

indoor environments.´ (EPA) The continued exposure to secondhand smoke can cause

asthma in children who have never shown symptoms. Additional health risks for children

with asthma, which is the most common childhood disease affecting school-agedchildren according to the article ³Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Children's Health´.

Also continued breathing of secondhand smoke can cause new cases of asthma in

children who have not previously shown symptoms. Secondhand smoke will make it

highly possible to start asthma attacks and make asthma symptoms more intense

according to doctors studying secondhand smoke in the U.S. and U.K. It can be seen

that secondhand smoke causes increased difficulties with asthma victims and also with

another respiratory illness named influenza.




6

Now we will review and explain that influenza (flu) is also a result of secondhand

smoke and can create worse conditions for people who have the illness. Influenza is

caused by a virus and there are also different strains, or types, of the flu virus every

year during the flu season. A recent study conducted on secondhand smoke in kids with

flu shows that children which are exposed to secondhand smoke will have worse cases

of flu than other children not exposed to secondhand smoke. ³Children are more likely

to need intubation and intensive care when hospitalized with influenza, as well as have

longer stays, according to findings from the University of Rochester´ (Yahoo News)

Influenza becomes more serious when the non smoker is exposed to secondhand

smoke. People who are affected by influenza should avoid all smokers and also places

where secondhand smoke is found.

Moving onwards, it is important now to address heart diseases and how

secondhand smoke increases the health risks and dangers by attacking the circulator y

system. ³Secondhand smoke , according to Wikipedia , affects the heart and causes

diseases. Heart disease mortality accounts for an estimated 35,000 to 62,000 deaths

which are caused from heart disease in people who are non smokers, but who are

exposed to secondhand smoke , according to Answers.com.´ (Wiki) The numbers of

deaths will also be discussed more in a later paragraph. Acute and chronic coronaryheart disease is also a result of long term exposure to secondhand smoke. ´Passive

smoking has been linked to the narrowing of the carotid arteries, which carry blood to

the brain. Exposure to secondhand smoke hastens hardening of the arteries, a

condition known as atherosclerosis. (Martin) It is noted that continual exposure to

secondhand smoke has shown very high chances of heart attack. Now that we can see

the risk of heart disease from secondhand smoke, I will discuss other health problems

like sudden infant death Syndrome (SIDS).




7

Now to the topic of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which kills newborns

mysteriously. ³SIDS is marked by the sudden death of an infant that is unexpected by

medical history and remains unexplained after a thorough forensic autopsy and a

detailed death scene investigation.´(Wikipedia) Although there is no clear reason how to

understand or explain the death of children by SIDS, it can be found that second hand

smoke does contribute to the syndrome and should be considered seriously when

smokers expose children to the dirty air created by pollution from cigarettes. ³Maternal

smoking is the strongest risk factor leading to SIDS. Infants who die from SIDS tend to

have higher concentrations of nicotine in their lungs than do control children, regardless

of whether smoking is reported. ´ (Wikipedia) Now we know that more needs to be done

to understand the relationship between the causes of SIDS and secondhand smoke.

Other chronic respiratory symptoms will now be discussed in the next paragraph.

Accordingly, we will now discuss the risks of secondhand smoke to non smokers

with focus on items not covered in previous paragraphs. Respiratory problems and risks

are numerous, but you can see from these details the higher risks associated with

secondhand smoke.´The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported

that secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections

such as bronchitis and pneumonia.´ (ACS) It is also possible for these infections to lead

to other complications including death of the victims of secondhand smoke. Sickness

caused by secondhand smoke remains high from what statistics are reflecting today.

³The EPA estimates that between 150,000 and 300,000 annual cases of lower

respiratory tract infections in infants and young children up to 18 months of age are

attributable to secondhand smoke exposure.´(ACS) Regarding these number of cases,

it is estimated that between 7,500 and 15,000 lead to hospitalization of the person.

These risks should be of concern to the non smoker and also avoid these risks to

maintain a healthier and better quality life. Also reflected are additional details stating

³Infants whose mothers smoke are 50 percent more likely to be hospitalized with a

respiratory infection during their first year when compared to infants with non smoking

mothers.´(ACS)




8

Newborns with mothers that smoke openly around them have a very high , 56 percent ,

risk of being hospitalized when compared to newborns whose mothers smoke in

another room away from the babies. ³In addition, there is a 73 percent higher risk if

mothers smoke while holding their infants and a 95 percent higher risk if mothers smoke

while feeding their infants.´(ACS) The exposure to smoke will also create problems for

development of the newborn children in their early years in addition to the high

possibility of illnesses. This covers the risks related to secondhand smoke or also

known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) which I will bring in the next paragraph.

As can be expected, continual exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

(ETS), another name for secondhand smoke, is dangerous to your health, especially

over long term. ³Continual exposure to ETS has been shown to nearly double thechance of heart attack.´ (Martin) This shows us that smoke compounded with continual

exposure or long term will certainly increase chances of heart diseases, respiratory

illnesses, asthma, influenza and other health issues. H ealth problems related to

secondhand smoke include signs and symptoms in adults like rhinitis, nasal congestion,

persistent cough, conjunctiva irritation, headaches, wheezing, and exacerbation or

chronic respiratory conditions. In children, asthma onset, increased difficulty in

controlling asthma, frequent upper respiratory infections and persistent middle-ear

effusion, snoring, repeated pneumonia, bronchitis according to articles on secondhand

smoking listed on Consumer Product Safety Commission website. People can take

action to improve the environment or lower their personal risk of secondhand smoke

damage, effects and illnesses. ³While improved general ventilation of indoor spaces

may decrease the odor of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), Note that health risks

cannot be eliminated by generally accepted ventilation methods. (CPSC) Heart disease

is covered in the next paragraph.

Subsequently, heart disease mortality is a high risk for non smokers. As I have

researched, data suggests that brief and long term exposure to secondhand smoke can

result in heart disease in non smoking adults and children. This result is manifested as

lower exercise levels in people breathing secondhand smoke. ³The effects of




9

secondhand tobacco smoke on the cardiovascular system are not caused by a single

component of the smoke, but rather are caused by the effects of many elements,

including carbon monoxide, nicotine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other, not

fully specified elements in the smoke. (JAMA) Non smokers exposed to secondhand

smoke in everyday life exhibit an increased risk of both fatal and nonfatal cardiac

events.´ At present, progress has been made in exposure to involuntary contact with

secondhand smoke by stricter laws banning smoking in workplaces and most public

places. The result of new laws to ban smoking and their effects on the overall health of

non smoking adults remains a question. This undocumented information will be

collected and compiled in the near future as these regulations and agencies are able to

monitor the effects and changes that will result from these new smoking regulations.

In conclusion you should not underestimate the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is extremely dangerous and harmful to a person¶s health which

needs to be taken very seriously and should be a major concern for every person who

breathes it in. Note also that non smokers inhaling secondhand smoke share some of

the health risks that smokers face. While secondhand smoke may not kill as many

people as smoking does, it is toxic and claims thousands of lives every year around the

world. As discussed cancer, respiratory problems, SIDS and heart diseases are allmajor concerns for the non smoker.




10

Works Cited

" Cancer Facts & Figures 2010. " 2010. American Cancer Society (ACS), 10 Apr.

2011.<http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/secondhand-smoke>.

" Cancer Stats Key Facts. " November 2010. Cancer Research UK. 10 Apr. 2011

<http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/keyfacts/ >.

" Does second hand smoking cause heart disease? " 2010. Wiki . 11 Apr. 2011

< http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_second_hand_smoking_cause_heart_diease>.

Glantz, Stanton, and William Parmley.´

Passive Smoking and Heart Disease´.

Chicago: JAMA, 1995

" Health Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke. " 2011. EPA. 12 Apr. 2011.

http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/healtheffects.html

" Health Effects Of Secondhand Smoke on Children. " 2009. Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights (ANR). 10

Apr. 2011. <http://no-smoke.org/document.php?id=212>

" Indoor Air Pollution: Introduction for Health Professionals. " 2011. CPSC. 12 Apr.

2011<http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/455.html>

Martin, Terry. " The Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Our Health " 2008. 14 Apr.

2011.<http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/secondhandsmoke/a/secondhandsmoke.htm>

" Respiratory System . " 2002. UXL Encyclopedia of Science . 12 Apr.

2011.<http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/respiratory_system.aspx>

" Secondhand smoke and flu. " 2011. Yahoo News. 11 April 2011.

<http://news.yahoo.com/topics/influenza>.

" Sudden infant death syndrome.´2011. Wikipedia. 11 April 2011.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_Infant_Death>.

24 may 2011 allen secondhand smoke 5-23final version[1]

Documents