Is secondhand smoke really a big deal?
Yes. Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds – more than 50 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes asthma, upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Over 38,000 deaths annually in the U.S. are the result of secondhand smoke-related diseases. Secondhand smoke can pass from one unit to another. Existing ventilation and air filtration systems are largely ineffective in preventing the seepage of secondhand smoke or removing the toxins in it. (Various fact sheets from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning, www.ashrae.org) Q4. Aside from the health benefits, are there other advantages to smoke-free homes? Yes! Smoke-free policies save money and make buildings safer for property owners and tenants alike. You will dramatically reduce wear and tear and save on cleaning and
