Harmful Chemicals in Second-Hand Smoke

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Harmful Chemicals in Second-Hand Smoke
By Robert Lyons
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Formaldehyde

• Used in dead organisms for preservation
• For each 1 million air molecules a person
  breathes in, only 20 molecules of formaldehyde
  will cause eye irritation and a sharp burning
  sensation of the nose and throat

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Cadmium

• Only 9 mg of cadmium will cause upper respiratory
  tract infections when breathed (1 mg is 1/1000 of
  a paper clip)
• Also used in car batteries with sulfuric acid

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Lead

• Lead is believed to be part of the downfall of
  the Roman empire
• Lead causes brain damage that cannot be reversed
• Lead poisoning in water supplies can completely
  shut down an entire water system until it is
  cleaned out.

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Cyanide

• Continued exposure of large amounts of cyanide
  for one half hour or longer can cause death in
  some instances
• Can be absorbed directly through the skin
• It is recommended that you are only around it
  with a full-face respirator and full body suit

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Arsenic

• Used as a rat poison
• As little as 5 mg of Arsenic has been known to
  cause death in a human

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Carbon Monoxide

• Same chemical found in car exhaust
• Very flammable when in the presence of water

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Tar

• Sticky brown substance that sticks nicotine to
  the lungs
• Also used to seal asphalt

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Radon

• Known by the Environmental Protection Agency to
  cause cancer

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Nicotine

• Stains human skin and teeth to a yellow-brown
  color
• Causes semi-permanent breath stains
• 50 to 60 mg in a single dose can be fatal to a
  human
• Is as addictive as heroine or cocaine

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These chemicals affect

• Oral cancer
• Lung cancer
• Increases risk of heart disease
• Increases risk of colon cancer
• Restricts blood vessels

• Low birth-weight
• Prenatal death
• Impotence
• Periodontal disease
• Infertility
• Emphysema
• Depression

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Not using tobacco reduces the chances of these
chemicals having negative effects on your body