What is it caused by?

It is caused by exhaled mainstream and side stream smoke from the end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Second hand smoke is known as a health irritant. Containing more than 4,000 substances, this number includes over 40 that are linked to cancer. Do you want your family exposed to this kind of health risk?

How Does It Relate To Asthma?

This kind of irritant may trigger asthma episodes and make asthma symptoms more severe in children who already have asthma. Moreover, it creates a risk factor for new cases of asthma in children who have not previously exhibited asthma symptoms.

The means by which this triggers an asthma episode is believed to be through its irritancy effects. That is, it irritates the chronically inflamed bronchial passages of asthmatics. This is a different pathway from most of the other environmental triggers of asthma, like dust mites and pet dander, which trigger asthma episodes through allergenic effects.

Exposure is also known to cause a variety of other negative health consequences, including lung cancer, ear infections in children, and respiratory illnesses.

Air Cleaning:

What methods can be used to control indoor air pollution?

The three most common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution are:

Source Control: Eliminate or control the sources of pollution; although it is difficult to force pets outdoors, and eliminate all odors.

Ventilation: Dilute and exhaust pollutants through outdoor air ventilation; in the winter however, venting to the outdoors may increase heating and energy costs.

Air Cleaning: Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods and products.

The first approach -- source control -- involves minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution, employing good hygiene practices to minimize biological contaminants (including the control of humidity and moisture, and occasional cleaning and disinfection of wet or moist surfaces), and using good housekeeping practices to control particles.

The next approach -- outdoor air ventilation -- is also effective and commonly employed. Ventilation methods include installing an exhaust fan close to the source of contaminants, increasing outdoor air flows in mechanical ventilation systems, and opening windows, especially when pollutant sources are in use.