Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders

摘要

The report addresses the weight of evidence on the potential associations betweenpassive smoking or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and (1) lung cancer in nonsmoking adults, and (2) noncancer respiratory disorders, primarily in children. With respect to lung cancer, the report concludes that (1) ETS is causally associated with lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and is an EPA Group A (known human) carcinogen, and (2) approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year among nonsmokers of both sexes in the United States are attributable to ETS. With respect to noncancer respiratory effects, the report concludes that ETS exposure to children from parental smoking is causally associated with (1) respiratory symptoms of irritation (cough, sputum, and wheeze); (2) middle ear effusion; (3) reduced lung function; (4) lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs), particularly in infants; and (5) additional episodes and increased severity of asthma in asthmatic children. The evidence also suggests that ETS exposure induces asthma in previously asymptomatic children. In addition, passive smoking causes some respiratory discomfort and reduced lung function in adults.