Allergies from Smog and Smoke

Cigarette smoke and smog--a combination of smoke and fog --create toxic chemicals in the air that can be dangerous to inhale. Aggravated by smoke and dense smoggy days, allergies may be heightened or instigated by these atmospheric irritants that cause coughing, wheezing, watery eyes and deterioration to the lungs.

Speculation

• Smog, hanging low over a city, holds toxic particles harmful to lungs.

  An allergy to cigarette smoke is an allergic reaction to toxic chemicals and irritants found in cigarette smoke. According to National Institute of Environmental Health studies, smoking may aggravate allergies.

Effects

• Second-hand smoking instigates allergies in non-smokers.

  Cigarette smoke allergy symptoms may include burning or watery eyes, stuffy nose and coughing. Secondhand smoke--the smoke breathed in by others around a cigarette smoker--can increase the risk of allergic complications, such as sinusitis and bronchitis for the non-smoker.

Types

• Smog (smoke and fog together) damages both the respiratory system (lungs) and cardiovascular (heart) system. It also aggravates heart problems, bronchitis, asthma and other lung problems associated with allergies.

Considerations

• According to the Canadian health website MediResource, once in the lungs smog particles can decrease the lungs' working capacity and aggravate respiratory symptoms causing wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Warnings

• Dangerous smoke stacks create more smog in the atmosphere.

  People with allergies as well as pregnant women, smokers and people with lung and heart disease need to take precautions on smoggy days to avoid heavy inhalation of dangerous particles.