Bad effects of second-hand smoke caught on MRI scans

William Atkins
Friday, 30 November 2007 20:55

Science - Health

U.S. scientists presented evidence from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that show lung damage to people exposed to second-hand smoke, even when they have themselves never smoked.          

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, in Charlottesville, and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania.

The researchers, specifically, used the technique called “global helium-3 diffusion MRI” to study the lungs of thirteen current or former smokers, along with 45 people who had never smoked.

Of the non-smokers, 22 had heavy exposure to second-hand smoke, although, none of them had any physical symptoms of lung disease.

The technique found early lung damage in 67% of the smokers and 27% of the nonsmoker with heavy exposure to second-hand smoke,

The researchers presented their findings at the meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, which was held in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

The MRI scans showed structural damage to the lungs indicative of people who have emphysema, a chronic, debilitating lung condition.

The authors of the study recommend that more stringent regulations be implemented to control second-hand smoke. In the United States, only limited numbers of laws have been passed directly relating to second-hand smoke.

According to the American Lung Association, 35% of children in the United States live in homes where regular smoking occurs.