Smog VS Second Hand Smoke

[CowTown]

We all know both smog and cigarette smoke is the devil, but is smog just as bad? Which one do you think is worse or are they equally as bad for us? Anyone have any insight to that?

 

[littledebbie]

I don't know on a technical level but I appreciate that I can
usually get away from cigarette smoke but getting away from Smog is
a bit trickier.

 

[wuffles]

Smog doesn't really bother me (although I'm in a city with quite clean air). Cigarette smoke immediately tightens my chest. I'm sure a lot of it is psychological but second hand smoke is definitely worse for me <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

I dont know as far as personal affects which is worse. At least with cigarettes you have an easier chance of getting away. I know last year when I walked out of the hospital after my first admit (into the fine quality air of NYC) that my chest closed right up. I should have turned right around & walked back in, but I didnt. I went home & ended back in 3 weeks later. It gets harder as I get older because I am more sensitive to things. Truck fumes, smog, chimney smoke etc!

 

[NoExcuses]

I notice a difference when I'm out of LA, Kell, which is what I'm assuming you're asking about.

I've lived in LA all my life and didn't leave much until I was out of college. San Francisco, Seattle, Salzburg, Chicago - I notice a difference in my breathing even though my FEV1's are 98%.

Smog causes asthma for people with NORMAL lungs (the rate of asthma in LA is very high). So you can imagine how much it helps those with poor lungs.

This is why I'm hoping to go to grad school in SF and move to Seattle one day.

 

[CowTown]

Geeez - I'm just getting worried about our move back to LA. I'm trying to rationalize that moving back to smog will be okay if we live by the beach and ocean breeze. Isn't it true that the ocean breeze blows the smog inland?! I know from growing up inland that the beach always is at least 10-15 degrees cooler and just feels like a different world.

Cigarette smoke is awful and I have a bad reaction to it if I'm around it for too long. Luckily like you guys pointed out, you can usually get away from it. Smog you can't get away from unless you are in a good location, like on top of a mountain or at the beach right?

I know when I moved away from LA 5 years ago, I could tell a huge difference in my breathing and it was awesome! Now that I'm going back, I am worried and don't want to be counterproductive. Hopefully I won't be screwed!

So, I guess my question really is...if you live along the coast will the smog amount will be better or okay?

 

[CowTown]

If I buy a few really good hepa filter air purifiers and stay indoors when the smog is bad...will that truly help any?

 

[NoExcuses]

Have you ever taken off or landed at LAX?

I still see a layer of smog around the beach and out to the ocean for a little bit.....

No question that the beach is better than inland. BUT I think there is still a great deal of smog at the beach compared to outside of LA....

 

[CowTown]

UUuugghh! I know I know. This is one of the evil cons to this whole adventure, the smog sucks. Yes, I can't beleive the ugly grey color of air that just hang out covering for miles and miles when you fly in, it's really incredible. This sucks. Other things are great about our move, but this part sucks.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[sheiladickens]

Kelly,
Take a look at this website <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.californiaaggie.com/media/storage/paper981/news/2006/02/07/CityNews/Secondhand.Smoke.Declared.Toxic-1602128.shtml?norewrite200607182156&sourcedomain=www.californiaaggie.com">http://www.californiaaggie.com...ww.californiaaggie.com</a> The Director of this research is my Brother in-law and if you have any specific questions he probalbly has an answer. His research studies are at UC Davis in California.
Bruce, Sheila's Dad

 

[CowTown]

Sheiladickens, thanks for that link. That was interesting. I am so glad that California is such an activist against secondhand smoke. One day the rest of the country will hopefully follow suite. For that matter, maybe one day all of Europe will too, god knows they need to!