Is Second Hand Smoke Harmful Even If It Doesn't Cause Failed Urine Tests?

[Jasongreat]

I have a question regarding second hand smoke and its dangers, I hope this is the right place to post it.

I have been told how dangerous second hand cigarette smoke is, I have also been told that it is impossible to fail a urine test due to inhaling second hand MJ smoke. So which is it, second hand smoke is an efficient way to transfer toxins from one to another, or toxins can't be efficiently transported via second hand smoke? Or are there other reasons that I am overlooking why this is supposedly so?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Moonbear]

There's really no difference between second hand smoke and being the primary inhaler, other than possibly how deeply the smoke is inhaled into your lungs (the primary smoker might take a much deeper breath to "enjoy" the smoke than the person exposed to second hand smoke who is trying to breathe more shallowly to avoid inhaling as much as possible). You're inhaling the combustion products, whether intentionally or secondarily. The only real difference is that the primary smoker would be exposed frequently, while the person exposed to secondary smoke might be getting a lighter dose over time from less frequent exposure...unless they are sharing a home with a smoker.

 

[Jasongreat]

There's really no difference between second hand smoke and being the primary inhaler, other than possibly how deeply the smoke is inhaled into your lungs (the primary smoker might take a much deeper breath to "enjoy" the smoke than the person exposed to second hand smoke who is trying to breathe more shallowly to avoid inhaling as much as possible). You're inhaling the combustion products, whether intentionally or secondarily. The only real difference is that the primary smoker would be exposed frequently, while the person exposed to secondary smoke might be getting a lighter dose over time from less frequent exposure...unless they are sharing a home with a smoker.

Thanks, Moonbear. It seems I have been told wrongly, second hand MJ smoke could cause one to fail a urinalysis, I couldn't see how it could work in one case and not the other and I knew one of the fine members here would set it straight.

 

[Ygggdrasil]

The issue here is probably dosage. For getting high from marijuana and having enough to test positive for the substance, you need a large dose of the psychoactive compounds in the smoke, which the second hand smoke probably would not be able to provide in most cases. In contrast, the health concerns with tobacco and marijuana come from exposure to the carcinogenic substances in the smoke which can have harmful effects even at low doses is the exposure is chronic.

 

[LudusRex]

I can provide some information on the effects of second hand smoke. Second hand smoke is a mixture of the smoke exhaled by a smoker and the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. It contains over 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 known to cause cancer. When non-smokers are exposed to second hand smoke, they inhale these harmful chemicals, which can have serious health effects.

Studies have shown that second hand smoke can increase the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections in non-smokers. It can also worsen existing health conditions, such as asthma and allergies. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the effects of second hand smoke.

In terms of your question about urine tests, it is important to understand that second hand smoke exposure does not necessarily lead to the same levels of toxins in the body as direct smoking. The amount of toxins inhaled and absorbed through second hand smoke is typically lower than that of a smoker. Therefore, it is possible for a non-smoker to have traces of these toxins in their urine, but not at levels that would result in a failed drug test.

However, this does not mean that second hand smoke is not harmful. It is still a significant source of exposure to harmful chemicals and can have negative effects on a person's health. It is important for non-smokers to avoid exposure to second hand smoke as much as possible, and for smokers to be considerate of others and refrain from smoking in enclosed spaces or around non-smokers.

In summary, second hand smoke is indeed a dangerous and efficient way to transfer toxins from one person to another. While it may not result in high levels of toxins in the body, it can still have significant health effects and should be avoided. I hope this helps answer your question.