EPA Indoor Air - Smoke-Free Program Web Site

EPA Indoor Air - Smoke-Free Homes Program


Breathing secondhand smoke can be harmful to children of all ages by increasing their risk for asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. Head Start program directors and health managers can educate staff and parents about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure.

EPA Indoor Air - Smoke-Free Homes Program Secondhand Smoke Can Make Children Suffer Serious Health Risks Breathing secondhand smoke can be harmful to children's health including asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis and pneumonia and ear infections. Children's exposure to secondhand smoke is responsible for: (1) increases in the number of asthma attacks and severity of symptoms in 200,000 to 1 million children with asthma; (2) between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections (for children under 18 months of age); and, (3) respiratory tract infections resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations each year. More>>

EPA Indoor Air - Smoke-Free Homes Program. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. n.d. English. Web Site.