[Passive smoking--(un)recognized effects on the respiratory system]

Abstract

Passive smokers are exposed to a quantitatively smaller but qualitatively different smoke than active smokers. Clinical and epidemiological investigations indicate that allergic and nonallergic subjects are susceptible to tobacco smoke. The most frequent symptoms are eye irritation and blinking, nasal and throat irritation, nausea and headache. Acute effects on respiratory system are manifested by increase of airway resistance and decrease of airway specific conductance. Chronic effects include deterioration of pulmonary function, exacerbation of allergy, chronic pulmonary diseases, angina pectoris and increase of relative risk of lung cancer. Children are sensitive to tobacco smoke even before birth and exposure during the first year of life increases the risk of respiratory disease. Passive smoking at workplace is recognized as a cause of occupational respiratory diseases and the tollerable concentration of cigarette smoke is suggested for 8-hour exposure of healthy workers.