The Truth About How Second-Hand Smoke Travels In Your Home
Many people are misinformed about how they can protect their families from second - hand smoke. Do any of the following myths sound familiar?
MYTH #1: If I smoke in another room, I'm not harming anyone.
THE TRUTH: Second-hand smoke spreads from one room to another even if the door of the smoking area is closed. In addition, harmful chemicals can cling to rugs, curtains, clothes and other materials and can usually remain in a room long after someone has smoked there.
MYTH #2: If I open a window in my home or car, I can get rid of most of my second-hand smoke.
THE TRUTH: You may think that by opening a window you are clearing the smoke from a room or your car, but that is not the case. To effectively remove cigarette smoke, you need to increase the air-exchange rate a thousand times to something equal to a gale force wind!
In addition, opening a car or room window can result in air flow back into the room or car which may cause the smoke to be blown directly back at non-smokers.
MYTH #3: If I smoke when my children aren't home or in the car, it can't hurt them.
THE TRUTH: Many parents think that it's alright to smoke when their children aren't around. What they may not know is that second-hand smoke lingers long after they finish a cigarette. In a recent study, researchers found that second-hand smoke can remain in contaminated dust and surfaces, even if smoking took place days, weeks or months earlier.
MYTH #4: If I use an air filter or a fan, my second-hand smoke won't hurt anyone.
THE TRUTH: The sad truth is that even air filters, air purifiers and ventilation systems are not enough. After a smoker leaves a room, chemicals from the second-hand smoke remain behind in the air, on food, furniture, curtains and skin. Most ventilation systems are designed to limit the build-up of carbon monoxide and keep odour down, not to remove smoke.
Source: Health Canada