For additional information on any of the following topics, click
on the links below.
What is environmental tobacco smoke?
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is second-hand smoke. It comes
from exhaled smoke and the burning end of the cigar, cigarette,
or pipe. ETS contains over 3800 different chemicals. Exposure to
ETS can occur at home, school, work, and any place where a smoker
can light up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), from 1988 to 1991, approximately 40% of children in the United
States lived with at least one parent who smoked. This number is
slowly going down, but the fact remains that many children live
with smokers and can not escape the effects of ETS.
Why is environmental tobacco smoke harmful?
Environmental tobacco smoke is harmful because it contains so many
different chemicals. Also, a majority of the ETS is unfiltered,
which further increases the amount of toxins that are puffed into
the air. Research has shown that infants with smoking mothers are
38% more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia during the first
year of life. The more a mother smokes, the more likely hospitalizations
will occur. If both parents smoke, infants are more than twice as
likely to develop pneumonia than infants with nonsmoking parents.
Children living with smoking parents are more likely to have persistent
middle ear fluid and chronic ear infections requiring ear tube placement.
Children who live with smokers are more likely to develop asthma
and have more frequent asthma exacerbations. Additionally, there
is a strong relationship between the incidence of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS) and exposure to ETS.
What is being done to protect us from environmental tobacco smoke?
Federal, state, and local governments are passing new laws and
ordinances to prohibit smoking in some public places. For example,
in California, it is unlawful to smoke in any restaurant. Ordinances
vary from city to city. In Illinois, you must be 18 years of age
to purchase tobacco products. Many other states are doing the same.
What can I do to protect my family from environmental tobacco
smoke?
The best protection from ETS is to stop smoking. Going outside
to smoke does not eliminate the exposure. The toxic chemical residues
remain on your clothing, skin, and hair. Seek out help from your
doctor about a smoking cessation program. Prohibit all smoking in
your home and car. If smoking is an issue at your child care setting,
look for a new, non-smoking provider. Also, in public places where
a "No Smoking" sign is posted, you have the right to ask
the smoker to leave the area or extinguish the tobacco source.
Adolescents can have a high degree of exposure to ETS. They may
be smokers or have friends who are smokers. A teenager's after-school
job may also expose them to ETS. Ask your child's health care provider
about smoking cessation programs aimed at adolescents.
Where can I get more information?
American Lung Association - www.lungusa.org
Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids - www.tobaccofreekids.org
CDC's Tobacco and Information Source - www.cdc.gov/tobacco
QuitNet - www.quitnet.org
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that is mined with other rocks. When it is
processed, asbestos forms microscopic strands that are so lightweight
they can float in the air for hours. Asbestos had been used in construction
of buildings since the early 1900's. It does not burn, it is strong,
and it insulates very well. The peak years of asbestos use in schools
were between 1947 and 1973. After this time, use of asbestos was
banned due to its link to health problems. The EPA estimates that
107,000 schools in the United States have asbestos materials in
the insulation or other surfaces. Also, asbestos has been used extensively
in homes as insulation, flooring, and roofing materials.
Why is asbestos harmful?
Asbestos materials, when intact and in good condition, do not pose
a great danger to humans. However, over time the asbestos materials
can deteriorate and release microscopic fibers into the air. When
the microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled, it can be hazardous
to one's health. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen. The diseases
(i.e. lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma) caused by asbestos
exposure may not be evident for more than 20 years after exposure.
Longer, more intense exposures to asbestos increase the likelihood
of developing one these diseases (i.e. shipbuilders).
What is being done to protect us from asbestos?
During the 1980's, parents became increasingly concerned about
low level asbestos exposure in their children during the school
day. Responding to the public's concern, in 1986, Congress passed
the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This law protects
children from exposure to asbestos in schools. Federal law mandates
that all schools are to be inspected for asbestos. Schools are required
to release the results of inspections to the public. The law also
requires the schools to develop a plan for the management of asbestos
and carry out the plan in a timely fashion.
What can I do to protect my family from asbestos?
The asbestos exposure is not limited to school buildings. Inspect
your home for asbestos material. If you think there is asbestos
material in your home, do not disturb it until a professional asbestos
contractor can evaluate your home. Do not attempt to vacuum suspected
asbestos material, as it will worsen the situation. In many cases,
asbestos found in homes can be encapsulated or sealed. If the asbestos
material is damaged and needs to be removed, it is the homeowner's
responsibility to find an approved disposal site. Overall, asbestos
that is found to be in good condition poses very few health risks.
A special maintenance plan is required to ensure that the condition
remains intact. If asbestos is found to be in a friable or damaged
state, the methods for correction consist of repair, encapsulation,
enclosure, or removal of it. Properly trained professionals are
responsible for deciding what method is best to correct the exposure.
In addition to fixing obvious asbestos problems, it is critical
to stop smoking. Exposure to asbestos and environmental tobacco
smoke increases the risk of lung cancer 50% to 90% compared to people
without these exposures.
Where can I get more information?
Call, write or visit the Environmental Protection Agency's web
site.
Environmental Protection Agency Region 5
77 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 886-6003
www.epa.gov
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