Combining Contaminants

The effects of second hand smoke are harmful enough, but in some occupations the combination of cigarette smoke with solvents, cleaners, toxic runoff, and other byproducts of industry which can be potentially harmful, especially when inhaled in proximity to smoke.

It's important in situations where you may be required to work with these fume-producing materials to reduce the danger to your lungs by wearing respirators, face masks or other filters. If you can open a window in an enclosed area, operate fans, or even have portable filtration systems installed, by all means do so.