Lung cancer One of the most well known diseases caused by smoking is
lung cancer. A few
carcinogens commonly found in
tar include
benzene,
acrylamide and
acrylonitrile. Smoking exposes delicate cells inside the lungs directly to these compounds. This causes mutations in the DNA of the cells, which leads to cancer. According to the
World Health Organization's report, "Tobacco Smoke and Involuntary Smoking", 80 percent of all cases of lung cancer are attributable to smoking.
Third-hand smoking and its effects Third-hand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on a variety of indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. This residue reacts with indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix. Containing cancer-causing substances, this third-hand smoke poses a potential health hazard to nonsmokers who are exposed to it, especially children. Studies have shown that third-hand smoke clings to many things such as hair, skin, clothes, furniture, drapes, walls, bedding, carpets, dust, vehicles and other surfaces, even long after smoking has stopped. Individuals at risk such as infants, children and nonsmoking adults may suffer tobacco-related health problems when they inhale, ingest or touch substances containing third-hand smoke. Third-hand smoke is a relatively new concept, and researchers are still studying its possible dangers. Third-hand smoking can be a serious concern, as it affects other people's health. In a house, the tobacco residue of the smoke can build up on surfaces over time. Unfortunately, excess smoke can not be removed just by airing out rooms and opening windows. Scientists have reported that third-hand smoke may cause up to 60 percent of the harm caused by regular exposure to smoke.
Second-hand smoking vs third-hand smoking Second-hand smoking (SHS) is a combination of
sidestream smoke (i.e., smoke emitted from the burning
cigarette,
pipe, or
cigar) and the mainstream smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. It contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which are known to affect health. These may include
ammonia,
acrolein,
carbon monoxide,
hydrogen cyanide, nicotine,
nitrogen oxides,
arsenic, and
sulfur dioxide, many of which contain irritants and toxicants to the eye and respiratory tract. Third-hand smoking (THS) consists of residual tobacco smoke pollutants that remain on surfaces and in dust after tobacco has been smoked, are re-emitted into the gas phase, or react with oxidants and other compounds in the environment to yield secondary pollutants. Chemicals of tobacco smoking include nicotine, 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP),
phenol,
cresols,
naphthalene,
formaldehyde, and
tobacco-specific nitrosamines (including some not found in freshly-emitted tobacco smoke). ==References==