According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), since 1964, roughly 2,500,000 people have died from health problems caused by secondhand smoke exposure. To this day, even with all the recent laws prohibiting people from smoking cigarettes in public, secondhand smoke causes more than 40,000 death in America each year. People, including children, who involuntarily breathe in secondhand smoke are exposed to a handful of toxic and addictive chemicals, which is what makes this such a serious worldwide issue. Below, we explain the dangers of inhaling secondhand smoke, and what you can do to best protect yourself from its harmful effects.
Effects of Inhaling Secondhand Smoke
When someone smokes a cigarette, toxic chemicals will rapidly spread around the room and linger for up to 5 hours. Tobacco smoke has been shown to contain 4,000 chemical compounds, in which 250 of these compounds are proven to cause various cancers and diseases. Harmful chemicals in cigarettes includes benzene, arsenic ammonia, formaldehyde, vinyl chloride, hydrogen cyanide, and much more.
Unfortunately, most secondhand smoke is invisible and odorless, which makes it difficult for the average non-smoking individual to avoid these lingering harmful compounds. There is no risk-free quantity of secondhand smoke exposure as even short-term inhalation can potentially cause a handful of immediate health issues, such as:
- High blood pressure.
- Heart attacks.
- Asthma and other lung problems.
- Frequent coughing or shortness of breath.
- Irritated eyes.
Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke can induce health issues such as:
- Lung cancer.
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Ear infections.
- Cataracts.
- Tooth decay.
- Increased risk of various cancers.
- Reduced overall survival.
Many individuals, such as women, children, and industry workers, are much more likely to experience negative health effects from secondhand smoke. Women who are exposed to secondhand smoke during their pregnancy are much more likely to give birth to a baby with health complications, such as a lower birth weight. Additionally, if an infant remains exposed to secondhand smoke, the likelihood of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) increases exponentially. The chemicals of secondhand smoke can also interfere with an infant’s ability to breath correctly. Finally, industry public-facing workers (food industry, construction workers, etc.) may be unable to avoid secondhand smoke, which increases their risk of exposure.
While all of these studies are directly associated with tobacco from cigarettes, scientists are currently studying the negative health effects correlated with inhaling secondhand smoke from portable vaporizers. While the studies are ongoing and inconclusive, professionals warn that their health effects are similarly detrimental to the inhaler’s health.
How to Protect Yourself from Secondhand Smoke
The best way to avoid inhaling secondhand smoke is to stay away from people who smoke. While this is an effective approach, it’s often impossible to avoid restaurants and public areas. If you believe you’re already suffering from the negative effects of secondhand smoke, then it’s important to visit your healthcare professional immediately. However, there’s a preventative measure available that’s simpler than most people realize.
O2 Nose Filters helps prevent particulate matter from secondhand smoke from entering and potentially affecting your nasal cavities. O2 Nose Filters has been proven in controlled studies to help protect wearers from inhaling harmful airborne particles such as bacteria, viruses, dust, exhaust fumes, smoke, and other pollutants. Independent laboratory tests demonstrate that 3M’s Advanced Electret Media in O2 Nose Filters block 90% of particulates at PM10 and 65% of particulates at PM2.5. Additionally, O2 Nose Filters are comfortable to wear due to their latex-free design and medical-grade Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) materials.
3M’s patented AEM™ (Advanced Electret Media) filter technology relies on the principles of electrostatic attraction. The high capture ratios and extended breathability attributed to 3M’s AEM™ material allows airborne particles from secondhand smoke to be captured within the filter. Rather than using a ‘screen’ approach to block the passage of particles, the charged fibers act as ‘magnets’ to retain particles while still allowing air to pass through, making O2 Nose Filters both breathable and effective.
O2 Nose Filters provides inexpensive and effective security to protect people from harmful secondhand smoke. While our nasal passageways try their best when it comes to filtering harmful particulate matter, they aren’t perfect. That’s why O2 Nose Filters are such an effective solution when it comes to improving our mental and physical health. Nose filters are a discreet, effective option to protect against secondhand smoke. The O2 Nose Filter uses 3M’s patented AEM™ electrostatic technology to capture allergens, viruses, and other particulates, making them a valuable tool for anyone who wants to drastically limit the pollutants and secondhand smoke they breathe in daily.
BLOCK IT OR BREATHE IT
Click here for a FREE (+S&H) sample pack to see which size works best for you!
