CLEAN INDOOR AIR What is clean indoor air? What is clean indoor air? Clean indoor air is the phrase used to refer to the absence or presence of second hand smoke in the air. It can be in a private or a public space. It is also used to refer to bills and legislation that limit or prohibit the presence of second hand smoke in a public or private space. What is second hand smoke? Second hand smoke, also referred to as tobacco smoke pollution (TSP) or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is made up of the smoke given off from burning cigarettes, cigars, and pipes plus the smoke that is exhaled from someone who is smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Second hand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and over 200 are toxic. Of those, over 50 are known to cause cancer. In its Report on Carcinogens , the United States Department of Health and Human Services found second hand smoke to be a Class A Carcinogen. This means that second hand smoke has been definitely found to cause cancer in humans. In addition, the Surgeon General's report on second hand smoke discusses the nature hand harmful effects of second hand smoke. Did you know that some of the ingredients found in second hand smoke include ammonia, formaldehyde, arsenic, plutonium 210, carbon monoxide, tar, lead, and butane? What are clean indoor air laws? Since second hand smoke has been linked to cancer and other illnesses, clean indoor air laws are written to eliminate exposure to second hand smoke in public places and in the workplace. Examples of public places are stadiums, malls, bingo halls, and hotel lobbies. Examples of workplaces are governmental buildings, bars, restaurants, and office buildings. While some workplaces are visited by the public, it’s important to remember people work there, too. For more information about clean indoor air laws, visit the Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco (PACT) website. Benefits of clean indoor air There are several benefits to clean indoor air. The most important benefits are health benefits. Second hand smoke has been linked to many illnesses such as cancer, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema. It has also been linked to many childhood illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and ear infections, and has been found to contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For more information about clean indoor air and its other benefits, visit the Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco (PACT) website.
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