Stubbing out an ‘occupational hazard’

KUALA LUMPUR: In Malaysia, smoking is banned at all indoor workplaces but some hardcore smokers blatantly ignore the “No Smoking” signages or regulations, while passive smokers have to suffer in silence and continue to inhale stale smoke containing a long list of toxic substances.

Cigarette smoke trapped indoors can pollute the air quality of a building, which can eventually affect the health of the people working in it.

In an enclosed space, it is also not easy to get rid of the tobacco residue from cigarettes that build up on surfaces and furnishing.

According to occupational health specialist Dr Shawaludin Husin, cigarette smoke can linger in the air inside a building for two hours or longer, after one has finished smoking, even if the windows are open.

“No matter where a person smokes – room, toilet, stairway or any place at the workplace (or in a house) – the smoke will linger in the air and can affect anyone inside the building.”

Cigarette smoke produces a large number of contaminants, including

300 types of toxic gases, said Shawaludin, adding that even though the smoke or smell is no longer evident, “it doesn’t mean that we are free from danger”.

“The situation worsens when cigarette smoke interacts with other types of air pollutants that may be present (in the building) due to poor ventilation and poorly maintained airconditioning systems.”

The doctor, who is also deputy president of the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health, cited findings of the 2011 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (carried out in Malaysia), revealing that four out of 10 adults were exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke at the workplace.

Second-hand smoke – which is smoke inhaled involuntarily from tobacco smoked by others – causes more harm to passive smokers than smokers.

“It can cause miscarriages and premature births. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk of contracting respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and lung inflammation, as well as meningitis. They can also develop learning difficulties and neurobehavioural problems and are prone to ear infections, allergies, cough and flu.”

Cigarettes contain thousands of hazardous chemical substances, among them tar, which is carcinogenic and may cause lung cancer and elevate the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, infertility, gum problems and oral cancer. – Bernama