SECONDHAND SECONDHAND SMOKE AND RADONSMOKE AND RADON

Secondhand Smoke and Radon Secondhand Smoke and Radon Cause Lung CancerCause Lung Cancer

Kentucky has the Kentucky has the highest rates of highest rates of lung cancer in the lung cancer in the U.S.U.S.

Smoking and Smoking and secondhand smoke secondhand smoke combined are the combined are the leading cause of leading cause of lung cancer.lung cancer.

Radon is the 2nd Radon is the 2nd leading cause of leading cause of lung cancer. lung cancer.

Smoking: Leading Cause of Smoking: Leading Cause of Lung CancerLung Cancer

SmokingSmoking causes an causes an estimated estimated 160,000 deaths160,000 deaths in the U.S. every in the U.S. every year year

(American Cancer Society, 2004)(American Cancer Society, 2004)

Radon: 2Radon: 2ndnd Leading Cause of Leading Cause of Lung CancerLung Cancer

RadonRadon is the second leading cause is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for for about 21,000 lung cancer about 21,000 lung cancer deathsdeaths every year. About 2,900 of every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. who have never smoked.

What is Recommended?What is Recommended?

The Nation’s Chief The Nation’s Chief Physician urged Physician urged Americans to test their Americans to test their homes for radon.  homes for radon. 

Remedy the problem as Remedy the problem as soon as possible when soon as possible when the radon level is 4 the radon level is 4 pCi/L or more.  pCi/L or more. 

US Surgeon General Richard Carmona

Secondhand Smoke:Secondhand Smoke:33rdrd Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Leading Cause of Lung Cancer

Secondhand smokeSecondhand smoke is the third is the third leading cause of lung cancer and leading cause of lung cancer and responsible for an responsible for an estimated estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths3,000 lung cancer deaths every year. every year.

Secondhand Smoke and Secondhand Smoke and Lung CancerLung Cancer

Nonsmokers exposed to Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk or work increase their risk of developing heart disease of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. percent.

Nearly half of all Nearly half of all nonsmoking Americans are nonsmoking Americans are still regularly exposed to still regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. secondhand smoke.

US Surgeon General Richard Carmona

Is There a Safe Level?Is There a Safe Level?

There is no risk-free level of exposure to firsthand tobacco smoke, secondhand tobacco smoke, or radon.

The mixture of The mixture of smoke given off by smoke given off by the burning end of the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the cigar and the smoke exhaled smoke exhaled from the lungs of from the lungs of smokers.smokers.

Involuntarily Involuntarily inhaled by inhaled by nonsmokers.nonsmokers.

What is Secondhand Smoke?What is Secondhand Smoke?

Why Is Secondhand Smoke Toxic?Why Is Secondhand Smoke Toxic?

It contains higher It contains higher concentrations of concentrations of many of the toxins many of the toxins found in inhaled found in inhaled cigarette smoke. cigarette smoke.

Lingers in the air Lingers in the air hours after hours after cigarettes have cigarettes have been extinguishedbeen extinguished

What Does SecondhandWhat Does SecondhandTobacco Smoke Contain?Tobacco Smoke Contain?

Methanol Carbon Monoxide Hydrogen

Cyanide Acetone Tar DDT Naphthalene Vinyl Chloride Benzene

There is no risk-free level of exposure to firsthand or secondhand tobacco smoke

SHS contains at least 250 toxic chemicals

Formaldehyde Mercury Lead Arsenic Toluene Cadmium Ammonia Butane Ethanol

How Many Kentucky Adults are Exposed to How Many Kentucky Adults are Exposed to First and Secondhand Smoke?First and Secondhand Smoke?

Most (72%) do NOT Most (72%) do NOT smoke cigarettes.smoke cigarettes.

Exposed Not Exposed

91%

9%

Yet nearly all (91%) ARE Yet nearly all (91%) ARE exposed to secondhand smoke.exposed to secondhand smoke.

28%

72%

Smokers Nonsmokers

What Are Some of Radon’s What Are Some of Radon’s Characteristics that Work with Characteristics that Work with

Secondhand Smoke?Secondhand Smoke? Has a static Has a static

electric chargeelectric charge Is radioactiveIs radioactive Attaches to the Attaches to the

tiny particles in tiny particles in secondhand smoke secondhand smoke that are easily that are easily inhaledinhaled

How Is Radon Measured?How Is Radon Measured?

Radon is measured in picoCuries per liter Radon is measured in picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L). While no level of radon of air (pCi/L). While no level of radon exposure is considered safe, EPA has set exposure is considered safe, EPA has set an action level at 4 pCi/L. an action level at 4 pCi/L.

If a radon test shows levels at or above 4 If a radon test shows levels at or above 4 pCi/L, the building should be fixed. pCi/L, the building should be fixed.

How is Secondhand Smoke How is Secondhand Smoke Measured?Measured?

Aerosol monitors measure the Aerosol monitors measure the particulate matter in the air.particulate matter in the air.

There is no standard for indoor air There is no standard for indoor air quality.quality.

EPA has established 65 PMEPA has established 65 PM2.52.5 ug/m ug/m33 as the outdoor National Ambient Air as the outdoor National Ambient Air Quality Standard for a 24 hour Quality Standard for a 24 hour period.period.

What is Particulate Matter?What is Particulate Matter?

A mixture of liquid aerosols or solidsA mixture of liquid aerosols or solids When 2.5 microns in diameter or When 2.5 microns in diameter or

smaller, they are small enough to smaller, they are small enough to pass from the lung into the pass from the lung into the bloodstream.bloodstream.

Fine particulate matter can cause Fine particulate matter can cause significant damage to the small significant damage to the small airways of the lungs, and increased airways of the lungs, and increased risk of dying from lung cancer and risk of dying from lung cancer and heart disease.heart disease.

What Difference Do What Difference Do Smoke-free Laws Make?Smoke-free Laws Make?

Average Fine Particle Air Pollution in Three Kentucky Communities

67

199

86

17 18 20

0

50

100

150

200

250

Letcher County Lexington Georgetown

Pre-Law

Post-Law

Why is the combination of Why is the combination of secondhand smoke and radon secondhand smoke and radon

so dangerous?so dangerous? Secondhand smoke particles linger in the Secondhand smoke particles linger in the

air and are small enough to be inhaled air and are small enough to be inhaled directly into the lungs.directly into the lungs.

Radon byproducts have a static charge Radon byproducts have a static charge and are attracted to secondhand smoke and are attracted to secondhand smoke particles in the air.particles in the air.

The combination of radon attached to The combination of radon attached to secondhand smoke particles greatly secondhand smoke particles greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer.increases the likelihood of lung cancer.

Radon exposure and smoking may have a synergistic relationship. Either smoking or radon exposure can independently increase the risk of lung cancer; however, exposure to both enhances that risk.

Exposure to Both Secondhand Smoke and Radon

Types of Lung CancerTypes of Lung Cancer

Primary lung cancer starts in the Primary lung cancer starts in the lungslungs

Secondary lung cancer starts Secondary lung cancer starts elsewhere and spreads to the lungselsewhere and spreads to the lungs

Two types of primary lung cancerTwo types of primary lung cancer– Small cell lung cancerSmall cell lung cancer– Non-small cell lung cancerNon-small cell lung cancer

Small Cell Lung CancerSmall Cell Lung Cancer Accounts for 20 of every 100 Accounts for 20 of every 100

cases of lung cancercases of lung cancer Usually always caused by Usually always caused by

tobacco smoketobacco smoke Linked to secondhand Linked to secondhand

exposure in non-smokersexposure in non-smokers Also caused by exposure to Also caused by exposure to

radonradon Often spreads early on in the Often spreads early on in the

diseasedisease Most aggressive type of lung Most aggressive type of lung

cancer with the worst cancer with the worst prognosisprognosis

Three Types of Non-Small Cell Three Types of Non-Small Cell Lung CancerLung Cancer

Squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinoma– About 30% of casesAbout 30% of cases– Develops from the cells that line the Develops from the cells that line the

airwaysairways– Linked to Linked to secondhand smoke secondhand smoke

exposure in nonsmokersexposure in nonsmokers AdenocarcinomaAdenocarcinoma

– Most common type in U.S. todayMost common type in U.S. today– Develops from mucus-producing cells Develops from mucus-producing cells

that line the airwaysthat line the airways– The predominant lung cancer in womenThe predominant lung cancer in women– Linked to Linked to secondhand smoke secondhand smoke

exposure in non-smokersexposure in non-smokers Large cell carcinomaLarge cell carcinoma

– About 10% of casesAbout 10% of cases– Tends to grow quicklyTends to grow quickly– Linked to Linked to radon exposureradon exposure

Children and RadonChildren and Radon

Children are exposed to larger doses of Children are exposed to larger doses of radiation from radon because they have radiation from radon because they have different lung architecture and breathing different lung architecture and breathing patterns.patterns.

Children have longer latency periods in Children have longer latency periods in which to develop cancer. which to develop cancer.

There is no conclusive data on whether There is no conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk from radon. children are at greater risk from radon.

Are You Breathing Healthy Air?Are You Breathing Healthy Air?

If you smoke, stop. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW If you smoke, stop. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or your local health department for help.or your local health department for help.

If you must smoke, take it outside.If you must smoke, take it outside. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Get involved with local public health Get involved with local public health

advocacy groups.advocacy groups. Test your home for radon.Test your home for radon. Ask your employer to test your workplace Ask your employer to test your workplace

for radon.for radon.

Radon Test KitsRadon Test Kits

How Does Radon Enter How Does Radon Enter Buildings?Buildings?

1.1. Cracks in solid floors Cracks in solid floors

2.2. Construction joints Construction joints

3.3. Cracks in walls Cracks in walls

4.4. Gaps in suspended Gaps in suspended floors floors

5.5. Gaps around service Gaps around service pipes pipes

6.6. Cavities inside walls Cavities inside walls

7.7. The water supply The water supply

How Can I Fix My House If It Has How Can I Fix My House If It Has Elevated Levels of Radon?Elevated Levels of Radon?

Mitigate Your Home for Radon. A Mitigate Your Home for Radon. A Contractor can: Contractor can: – Install a system to reduce radon levels. Install a system to reduce radon levels. – Prevent it from ever entering the living space. Prevent it from ever entering the living space.

Contact your local health department for a Contact your local health department for a list of qualified radon mitigators. list of qualified radon mitigators.

EPA’s booklet EPA’s booklet A Consumers Guide to A Consumers Guide to Radon Radon is helpful in understanding radon is helpful in understanding radon mitigation in your home.mitigation in your home.

How Sub-slab Depressurization How Sub-slab Depressurization Works in a HomeWorks in a Home

Suction created Suction created by a fan draws by a fan draws radon from radon from beneath the beneath the concrete slab concrete slab and safely vents and safely vents radon outdoors. radon outdoors.

For More Information on RadonFor More Information on Radon

Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office or call the state radon office at (502) 564-4856 or or call the state radon office at (502) 564-4856 or http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/radongas.htmhttp://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/radongas.htm

Call the National Safety Council at 1-800-SOS-Call the National Safety Council at 1-800-SOS-RADON for an informational recording and to RADON for an informational recording and to order a brochure. order a brochure.

Call 1-800-55-RADON to speak to a radon Call 1-800-55-RADON to speak to a radon specialist. specialist.

Call the Consumer Federation of America at Call the Consumer Federation of America at 1-800-644-6999 regarding radon mitigation. 1-800-644-6999 regarding radon mitigation.

Call the National Alliance for Hispanic Health at Call the National Alliance for Hispanic Health at 1-800-725-8312, a Spanish language 1-800-725-8312, a Spanish language hotline for radon questions. hotline for radon questions.

Visit EPA’s Radon Web Site: Visit EPA’s Radon Web Site: www.epa.govwww.epa.gov/radon/radon. .

For More Information on For More Information on Secondhand SmokeSecondhand Smoke

Contact the Tobacco Prevention Specialist at your Contact the Tobacco Prevention Specialist at your local health department or contact the Kentucky local health department or contact the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy at (859) 323-1730 or Center for Smoke-free Policy at (859) 323-1730 or www.kcsp.uky.eduwww.kcsp.uky.edu . .

Call the QUITLINE at 1-800-QUIT-NOW for Call the QUITLINE at 1-800-QUIT-NOW for cessation assistance. cessation assistance.

Visit Visit www.no-smoke.orgwww.no-smoke.org for additional information for additional information on secondhand smoke and smoke-free laws. on secondhand smoke and smoke-free laws.

Call the National Alliance for Hispanic Health at Call the National Alliance for Hispanic Health at 1-800-725-8312, a Spanish language 1-800-725-8312, a Spanish language hotline for secondhand smoke and cessation hotline for secondhand smoke and cessation questions. questions.

Visit KDPH’s Web Site: Visit KDPH’s Web Site: www.kdph.ky.govwww.kdph.ky.gov. .