Click to play videoNew Delhi:A new study has found that second-hand smoke at work increases levels of a potent carcinogen in the body.
This new study suggests that non-smoking employees absorb a potent carcinogen at much higher rates when they have to breathe in smoke from coworkers. So smoke from the next cubicle may prove to be more dangerous than one can imagine.
In the study, which is to be published in the American Journal of Public Health in August, researchers say the level of the carcinogen NNK, in the bodies of employees exposed to second hand smoke goes up by six per cent for each hour of work.
“These are known carcinogens which are know offenders and the study just proves that what we know is correct. Side stream smokers actually stand to lose a lot more than smokers themselves,” says Dr Samir Kaul Oncologist, Apollo hospital.
People are exposed to more carcinogens through passive smoking because the smoke is not filtered at the tip of the cigarette. There are many chemicals present in this smoke, one of which is NNK that can cause lung cancer.
The effects of passive smoking are worse in confined places like the workplace, restaurants or pubs.
How relevant an American study is for India, where awareness about passive smoking is still low
“India too needs a comprehensive ban on smoking rather than giving exemptions to restaurants and airports. There has to be a complete ban on smoking in public places so that non-smokers are not affected by passive smoke, “ says Monika Arora, Director, HRIDAY-- an anti-tobacco NGO.
For a passive smoker, avoiding a cigarette break at office might just prove to be a lifesaver.
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