Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Something Else to Worry Us.

Just when I thought we had enough to worry about, I learn of a new hazard facing us.

All enlightened and intelligent persons have long since given up smoking cigarettes. It doesn't take a genius to realize that drawing smoke (tobacco or otherwise) down into one's lungs is suicidal.

Later, we learned that breathing someone else's smoke (AKA 2nd hand smoke) was equally as bad. So bad, in fact, that places like Rome, Georgia, where I live, even ban tobacco smoke outdoors in wide-open spaces - such as public parks.

Reading a NY Times article, I discovered another danger lurking just below the surface......third hand smoke.

Third hand smoke is the chemical residue that's left behind when the smoker's 2nd hand smoke has (apparently) long since dissipated.
One study claimed that the residue left behind includes heavy metals, carcinogens and even radioactive materials.

The Times article goes on to say,
"Among the substances in third-hand smoke are hydrogen cyanide, used in chemical weapons; butane, which is used in lighter fluid; toluene, found in paint thinners; arsenic; lead; carbon monoxide; and even polonium-210, the highly radioactive carcinogen that was used to murder former Russian spy Alexander V. Litvinenko in 2006."

I wonder how long it will be before scientists prove that cigarette smoke (whether first, second, third or even fourth hand) is the ultimate cause of man-made global warming.

Guess we'll all be needing a HAZMAT suit before long.

1 comment:

Joe of St. Thérèse said...

LOL!, silly scientists, doesn't this go under the category of obvious...Well, if we're all getting a suit, I want one with a crucifix on the back and a giant baby saying Ps 139 and then I'll sit in front of clownbama's house.