Secondhand Smoke Myths, Busted
Which is the more unfriendly place for your lungs -- the smoking section inside a cafe or the one outside on the patio?
The answer may surprise you. Tests recently revealed that the air quality is often equally poor in both locations. So steer clear of that smoking section whenever you can. Now, which of these is worse for your lungs?
Cars or Bars?
Would your lungs be worse off if you spent a few hours in a car, windows cracked, with someone who's smoking or if you whiled away an evening in a smoky bar? Again, the answer may seem counterintuitive. Seems the air in a car, after a few cigarettes, can be even worse than the air in a smoky bar -- even with the windows open a bit. So now you know what to say the next time your pal wants to light up on a road trip.
Love Your Lungs
Try these other tips for battling bad air:
- Eat some fish. Here's what it will do for your lungs.
- Buy a spider plant for your bedroom. Here's how it will help freshen the air.
- Clean your air filter more often, and don't overdo it with vitamins. Here's why.
Did You Know?
Air pollution can hurt your heart health, too.
Real-time measurement of outdoor tobacco smoke particles. Klepeis, N. E., Ott, W. R., Switzer, P., Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association 2007 May;57(5):522-534.
Air change rates of motor vehicles and in-vehicle pollutant concentrations from secondhand smoke. Ott, W., Klepeis, N., Switzer, P., Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology 2007 Jul 18.
Highly hazardous air quality associated with smoking in cars: New Zealand pilot study. Edwards, R., Wilson, N., Pierse, N., New Zealand Medical Journal 2006 Oct 27;119(1244):U2294.
