Posted on 01/28/2005 1:50:34 PM PST by SheLion
Just how harmful is environmental tobacco smoke?
Not as harmful as the Environmental Protection Agency or those anti-secondhand smoke commercials would have one believe, according to Roger A. Jenkins, Ph.D., consultant to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Chemical Sciences division.
Jenkins presented "Human Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Is What You See What You Get?" at ORNL this week.
"Some people wish I didn't have the findings I have," Jenkins said. "Others say, 'Gee, if this is true, why does the EPA continue to talk about this?' [The research] steps on people's toes, and that's exactly what I want it to do."
Environmental tobacco smoke is a highly diluted mixture of sidestream (70 to 90 percent) and exhaled mainstream (10 to 30 percent) of tobacco smoke.
"'Secondhand' smoke is probably misleading, since most ETS is derived from smoke which is emitted by the smoldering firecone of a cigarette," Jenkins said.
According to Jenkins, the typical smoker inhales 480 milligrams of smoke a day and 32 milligrams of nicotine per day. In a home where smoking is unrestricted, the typical non-smoker will inhale the equivalent of .45 milligrams of smoke particles and .028 milligrams of nicotine.
There are several science-related hurdles to overcome in educating the public about ETS, Jenkins said. The first is getting the public to understand the difference between personal beliefs and science.
"In a society where there are still serious debates about evolution, this can be a real challenge," he said.
The second is avoiding the "means justifying the end syndrome," which Jenkins says involves the distortion of science in the name of preventing youth from smoking.
The third major hurdle is demanding "public policy types" provide perspective for the facts they declare.
"Sure, there are 43 carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) in ETS, but there are also probably about 40 carcinogens in diesel exhaust and wood smoke," Jenkins said.
Indoor air pollution is also caused by many things other than non-tobacco sources, including cleaning, cooking, consumer products like Raid and wood burning.
"As (physician) Paracelsus said in the early 1500's, 'the poison is in the dose,'" Jenkins said. "We still continue to eat lettuce and take showers despite their carcinogens. Life is risky business."
Jenkins is simply remaining true to his profession by bringing forth this politically incorrect information, he says.
"When you start tinkering with science because you want to achieve some political aim, you are no longer a scientist."
Jenkins retired in September from his position as leader of the Environmental Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry Group in the Chemical Sciences Division at ORNL. He has authored or co-authored more than 45 open literature publications in the area of field analytical chemistry and tobacco smoke characterization and human exposure. He is the lead author of "The Chemistry of Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Composition and Measurement," Second Edition.
Jenkins has also acted as an expert witness in several high-profile litigations involving environmental and mainstream tobacco smoke composition and exposure
Sounds like you're doing well with it! I working on getting the hubby to look into it...he's sort of noncomittal about it, so I may just go ahead and do it. If I like it, ect, he'll probably get on board, lol.
Long time no FReep! How you been?
I thought I was well versed in Mark Twain. I've missed that one!
So true!
You appear to have an extremely low level of tolerance. Life must seriously piss you off.
Well, I have been trying to catch up on the "highlights" of this thread. I have a picture in my mind of a couple of our "anti's". This vision helps take the edge of whilst reading their obnoxious posts. It's the only way I can hold back my fingers and ignore their holier-than-thou rants. Anyways, I appreciate the articles and the ping list. Have a great day!
..... Miss Lion, a lot of us around here love you.What he said. :^D
Gee, I sent that as a Freep Mail to be more personal. But, if you want to post it for all to see (which doesn't surprise me) then you're just proving what an obnoxious old bitch you really are. It's funny because the last time I "spoke" to you, you asked that I send my disparaging comments via mail.
At any rate, all of the posts calling me a "girl" and whatnot don't bother me in the least. I'll just consider the source. You all enjoy the rest of your lives and don't let that oxygen bottle get too heavy now, ya' hear?
"To escape from obnoxious old queens like you. It just won't work fast enough!"
LOLOL....priceless.
HaHaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Yep. Too many telling he/she off and he/she can't take it. But pay back is hell.
So fork him/her! 
They want a bit of overtime from me. Haven't been around much.
I'll try to do better. I promise.
And don't let you're self pious attitude in real life lose a lot of friends for you, how about that?
I think you need to read the book "How to make friends and influence people." You are lacking rather badly in those skills.
We are counting on it, RF!!! :)
I noticed that it's kind of a leap of faith to get someone to commit. But the prices these days make it more and more appealing.
I wish I had time to invent my own machine and sell them at flea markets. I'd make a ton of $$$.
ahhhh shucks!!
Oh, and I see we have another live one. Wow!
Treat 'em like a liberal democrat: let their tongues dig their graves.
Wait, don't forget this.
What are you doing here? Get back to Troll Patrol! ;O)haha!
I think they all invaded yesterday and must be sleepin' in today.
Probably restin' up for the Iraqi election tomorrow.
Sure happy to have you on our Ping List!! I truly understand how hard it can be not to pound out on the keyboard and post what we REALLY think of the anti's that come in here. But, we do have fun and if we develop a thick skin, we can on top of their hate for us and their lies. They have all been brain washed you know.
And they call themselves FReepers. Go figure.
They believe that if something is dangerous, even the most minute amount contains enough risk that they should scream bloody murder. If driving 100 mph through a residential neighborhood is demonstrably dangerous, then driving one hundredth of a mile per hour also contains danger and must be eliminated.
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