Learn the Facts

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke released from the burning end of a cigarette (side stream smoke) and the smoke that is exhaled by the smoker (mainstream smoke). According to the 2006 Surgeon General's Report there is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Read more



What are secondhand smoke toxins?
Cigarette smoke is toxic soup of more than 4,000 known chemical compounds. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of different chemicals that are released into the air as particles and gases. The gas phase of tobacco includes carbon monoxide, ammonia, dimethylnitrosamine, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and acrolein. According to a National Toxicology Program, there are at least 250 known or probable carcinogens(cancer causing) in cigarette smoke.

 

Consumer booklet: Secondhand Smoke: What It Means To You Download PDF version

 CDC "Secondhand Smoke: What it Means to you" booklet explains, the Surgeon General Report, on the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Here is a complete list of the carcinogens

 

LIST OF KNOWN, PROBABLE, & POSSIBLE CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS IN SECONDHAND SMOKE

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Benz(a)anthracene

Benzo(b)fluoranthene

Benzo(j)fluoranthene

Benzo(k)fluoranthene

Benzo(a)pyrene

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene

Dibenzo(a,l)pyrene

Dibenzo(a,e)pyrene

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene

5-Methylchrysene

Miscellaneous Organic Compounds

Acetamide Acrylamide

Acrylonitrile Vinyl chloride

DDT DDE

Catechol Caffeic acid

1,1-Dimethylhydrazine Nitromethane

2-Nitropropane Nitrobenzene

Ethyl carbamate

Ethylene oxide

Propylene oxide

Methyleugenol

MeAaC (2-amino-3-methyl-9-H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole

N-Nitrosamines

N-Nitrosodimethylamine

N-Nitrosoethylmethylamine

N-Nitrosodiethylamine

N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine

N-Nitroso-di-n-butylamine

N-Nitrosopyrrolidine

N-Nitrosopiperidine

N-Nitrosodiethanolamine

N-Nitrosonornicotine

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3pyridyl)-1-butanone

Inorganic Compounds

Hydrazine

Arsenic

Beryllium

Nickel

Chromium (only hexavalent)

Cadmium

Cobalt

Lead

Polonium-210

N-Heterocyblic Amines

AaC IQ

Trp-P-1 Trp-P-2

Glu-P-1 Glu-P-2

PhlP

Aldehydes

Formaldehyde

Acetaldhehyde

Volatile Hyrocarbons

1,3-Butadeine

Isoprene

Benzene

Styrene

Heterocyclic Compounds

Quinoline Dibenz(a,h)acridine

Dibenz(a,j)acridine

Dibenzo(c,g)carbazole

Benzo(b)furan Furan

Aromatic Amines

2-Toluidine 2,6-

Dimethylaniline

2-Naphthylamine 4-Aminobiphenyl




Secondhand Statistics
Under Construction

 

A smoke-free environment is the only protection
Under Construction

 

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