Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

Monograph 10 Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke

  1. Behavioral Research Program
  2. Tobacco Control Research Branch (TCRB)
  3. Tobacco Control Monograph Series
  4. Monograph 10
Monograph 10 Cover

Presents the weight of the evidence on health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (also called secondhand smoke), including reproductive, respiratory, and cardiovascular system effects, as well as pre- and post-natal manifestations and cancer. Exposure measurement and prevalence is also summarized.

Suggested Citation

National Cancer Institute. Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke. Tobacco Control Monograph No. 10. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. NIH Pub. No. 99-4645, August 1999.

View Individual Chapters

Chapters and key topics covered within each chapter are listed below. Chapters generally include an introductory section, details on methodology, a chapter summary, research needs, and a reference list.

  • Preface (PDF, 32 KB)
  • Authors and Acknowledgments (PDF, 32 KB)
  • Contents (PDF, 32 KB)
  • Executive Summary (PDF, 2.5 MB)
  • Chapter 1. Introduction (PDF, 96 KB)
    • Impact of ETS on the Health of Californians
    • Organization of the Report
    • Definition of ETS
    • Methodology
    • Weight-of-Evidence Evaluations References
  • Chapter 2. Exposure Measurement and Prevalence (PDF, 352 KB)
    • Properties of ETS and Its Constituents
    • Exposure Measurement: ETS Concentrations in Indoor Environments
    • Exposure Measurement: Biological Markers
    • Exposure Measurement: Use of Questionnaires
    • Exposure Prevalence and Determinants
  • Chapter 3. Developmental Toxicity I: Perinatal Manifestations (PDF, 256 KB)
    • Fetal Growth
    • Spontaneous Abortion and Perinatal Mortality
    • Congenital Malformations
  • Chapter 4. Developmental Toxicity II: Postnatal Manifestations (PDF, 192 KB)
    • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
    • Cognition and Behavior in Children
    • Postnatal Physical Development
    • Respiratory Development and Function
  • Chapter 5. Reproductive Effects (PDF, 96 KB)
    • Female Fertility and Fecundability
    • Other Female Reproductive Effects
    • Male Reproductive Toxicity
  • Chapter 6. Respiratory Health Effects (PDF, 352 KB)
    • Acute Health Effects
    • Chronic Health Effects
    • Susceptible Populations
  • Chapter 7. Carcinogenic Effects (PDF, 320 KB)
    • All Cancers (combined)
    • ETS and Lung Cancer
    • ETS and Cancer Sites Other Than Lung that are Associated with Active Smoking: Nasal Sinus, Cervical and Bladder
    • ETS and Cancer Sites Where Evidence for the Role of Active Smoking is Equivocal
  • Chapter 8. Cardiovascular Effects (PDF, 256 KB)
    • Description of Epidemiologic Studies
    • Discussion of Epidemiologic Studies
    • Other Supportive Evidence