This article has failed to demonstrate exactly HOW second-hand smoke effects the lungs of the *unborn*. I understand that the chemicals in smoke can get to the fetus through blood and do various damage, but how does that affect the alveoli? A fetus can't breathe air, for crying out loud! So how does smoke specifically irritate the unborn lungs?
Sorry. I'm inadequate at explaining . . . well enough . . . in precise clarity . . . that for which explanation is do effectively defended against.
CHEMICALS
ARE
IRRITANTS.
Let me repeat that for any possible increase in understanding it might afford . . . CHEMICALS ARE IRRITANTS. Doesn't matter whether some chemicals are delivered via airborne molecules or via the blood stream--certain chemicals ARE irritants to certain cells, cell types--PARTICULARLY AT CRITICAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
This is not really rocket science, folks.