Second-hand smoke – It’s a Chemical Soup

 

 

SEE IT FOR WHAT IT IS!
These are just some of the many chemicals left lingering in the air from second-hand smoke.
 


CARBON MONOXIDE

Reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen to human tissues.
 

TOLUENE
Highly toxic; causes tremors, destroys nervous system




 

FORMALDEHYDE
Causes cancer, and can damage your lungs, skin and digestive tract; used to preserve dead bodies.


LEAD
Causes serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. Absorbed very quickly into children, causing severe damage.

 

ARSENIC
Deadly poison.


 

ACETONE
Exposure to vapours causes eye and nose irritation.

AMMONIA
Added to tobacco to help absorb more nicotine - keeping you hooked on tobacco.


 

BENZENE
Causes leukemia; known cancer causing substance.

CADMIUM
Damages liver, kidneys and stays in the body for years; excreted in breast milk.



NICOTINE
An active ingredient in bug spray.


 

BENZOAPYRENE
One of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals in the world.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Tobacco companies claim they add it to keep tobacco from drying out.




BUTANE

Affects the nervous system.


You wouldn't leave these products lying about - don't let second-hand smoke POISON your air!

 

 

Would you be comfortable handling these chemicals?  Here are some of the chemical compounds found in second-hand smoke:

 

  • Arsenic -- a deadly poison used for pest control.
     

  • Ammonia -- used in household cleaners.  Added to tobacco to help absorb more nicotine and to keep you hooked on tobacco.
     

  • Nicotine -- one of the most addictive substances in the world.  Eight of ten people who start smoking become addicted. 
     

  • Benzene -- causes Leukemia.  A known cancer-causing substance that has been declared toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and is believed to harm you at any level.
     

  • Formaldehyde -- causes cancer and can damage your lungs, skin and digestive tract. Is used to preserve dead bodies.

 

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has officially labelled second-hand smoke a “Class A” cancer-causing substanceClass A is considered the most dangerous of cancer agents and there is no safe level of exposure.

 

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