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Second Hand Smoke Even More Dangerous New Reports Reveal

New Report Classifies Tobacco as "Toxic" Contaminant

A new report furnished by regulators in the state of California now labels tobacco smoke in the air as an air "contaminant" that is toxic in nature. This move may soon result in stricter regulations regarding second hand smoke. While many states are eagerly adopting laws preventing smoking in public places, others are still slower than average in responding to public concerns regarding second hand smoke.

Second hand smoke and any damages resulting from exposure to second hand smoke has long been a subject of interest among smokers and non smokers alike. The Air Resources Board recently found that women exposed to second hand smoke have a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who are not exposed to smoke. This suggests that tobacco smoke is a toxic contaminant in the air, whether or not one is exposed through direct consumption of tobacco products or through alternate means.

The recent report published by researchers working with California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, suggest that women less than 50 years old exposed to second hand smoke have an increased risk as great as 120% in some cases of developing breast cancer when compared with women who were not exposed to second hand smoke. Interestingly, the study suggested that women who were past their menopausal years were not at an increased risk for developing breast cancer when exposed to second hand smoke.

The report issued by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment also revealed that concentrations of second hand smoke are much greater in enclosed spaces, particularly within cars or other vehicles or smokers homes. In some instances the increased exposure was 10 times what it would be if non smokers were exposed to second hand smoke in a more ventilated environment.

Conclusions Regarding Second Hand Smoke and Breast Cancer
Thus far organizations including the American Cancer Society suggests that there is not enough evidence still to confirm whether or not second hand smoke is directly linked to increasing incidences of breast cancer in younger women. Nonetheless, young women have cause for concern based on this evidence and studies suggesting that breast cancer is responsible for upwards of 40,000 fatalities among women every year.

Second hand smoke is dangerous for reasons other than breast cancer. Previous studies have suggested that second hand smoke is responsible for lung cancer deaths even among non smokers. Second hand smoke releases many of the same chemicals released to smokers when they inhale a cigarette directly. Many of the chemicals present in second hand smoke cause cancer.

Some have even suggested that second hand smoke is even more dangerous than smoke inhaled by the user, because it may contain more tar and carbon monoxide than filtered smoke inhaled by smokers. Other minor effects of second hand smoke include symptoms ranging from headaches, fatigue and cough to nausea and dizziness.

The bottom line? Whether second hand smoke increases your risk for developing breast cancer is still up in the air. Recent evidence suggests that your risk may increase if you are consistently exposed to second hand smoke and are a pre-menopausal woman. Even more concerning, the various other side effects of routine exposure to second hand smoke.

Your best bet? Stay away from places, people or an environment that will expose you to second hand smoke. This is particularly important for pregnant women who's fetuses are also at risk for developmental and health problems when exposed to second hand smoke.