Final answer:
Children exposed to second-hand and third-hand smoke face an increased risk of lung cancer, respiratory infections, ear infections, SIDS, and asthma. Carcinogenic compounds in the smoke, such as PAHs and formaldehyde, contribute to these health issues as well as other diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children who are exposed to second-hand and third-hand smoke are at increased risk for a variety of health issues. The primary concerns include the development of acute and chronic respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, due to inhalation of carcinogenic compounds found in tobacco smoke. The risk of lung cancer for non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke is increased by up to 30 percent. In addition, second-hand smoke exposure in children is associated with higher instances of lower respiratory infections, which can lead to hospitalizations, a greater number of ear infections, higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and worsening symptoms of asthma.
The toxins present in second-hand smoke include at least 250 harmful compounds, among them polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde, which are causative agents for various diseases beyond cancer, such as immune system dysfunction, liver toxicity, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and neurological dysfunction. Long-term exposure can lead to the development of heart or lung disease and increase the risk of premature mortality. Therefore, it is critical to mitigate exposure to second-hand smoke, especially in the home and car environments where it can easily penetrate and linger, exposing children to these serious health risks.