Lung Blog

There is a very real question whether or not cigarettes can be described as a murder weapon. After I expressed concern with my mother being exposed to smoke in a Chicago nursing home, the judge and bailiff threw me out of court several times. The Guardian ad litem said she would seek a restraining order, after I expressed concern with exposure to smoke and my mother being like the Lindbergh baby kidnapped and agitated about being kidnapped. My mother said she was from France and was criticized for it. She had flown in the 1950's to Brussels, Paris, Dublin and taken the Yarmouth Castle in the Bermuda Triangle area in 1955. The nursing home then moved a patient in my mother's nursing home room who smoked heavily outside and we recently found out smoked in the room as well. The Cook County Public Guardian demanded to visit her at home whenever they wanted at all times. My mother was scared of this demand to be visited at all times, so she stayed in the nursing homes sometimes. I mentioned just recently to the Cook County Public Guardian and nursing home that if my mother develops lung cancer--she already has a chronic cough during this second imprisonment in the nursing home--I was going to investigate if it was attempted murder or a similar charge. How does anybody feel about this question?

I do apologize for the privacy violation with regard to the other patient in the nursing home. I was just concerned for my parent's safety after having a past employer's staff lie about talking to someone on a train and doing other things like turning off a machine at the desk or calling ideas insubordination etc.

The issue though is if someone is always exposed to smoke and develops a cough is that like an assault or violent act. Similarly, if the Space Shuttle were to release toxic fumes all the time would that be like a violent act. I do not think it does release anything terribly toxic--the chemicals are aluminum, oxygen, hydrogen. NASA has very clear concerns for environmental safety. All their proposals REQUIRE environmental impact statements. I have submitted several Notice of Intents and one proposal. The astronauts up there by the way might have less oxygen upon depressurization. Using space suits always or being very aware of the need to put them back on, as I mentioned to someone at NASA, is a good idea I think.

Again, I do apologize for the privacy violation. The nursing home administration, at first, would refuse to say what medication the parent was on and refused to say what costs were for days she was not there, so I was just very scared. I apologize for the mistake. I really should have brought up hypothetical cases or imaginary cases.

Thanks for the concern about indoor air quality. One source of indoor air pollution that wasn't mentioned is air "fresheners" and fragrances. These items both trigger a variety of symptoms for an increasing number of people. I'd appreciate your effort in helping to raise awareness regarding this issue. Thank you.

As an asthma sufferer, I think it's time we shift our attention to greater problems. I would rather sit next to a chain smoker all day than have someone wearing too much cologne come within twenty feet of me. Why has this issue never even been raised when perfumes and colognes cause countless asthma attacks daily ?

I have asthma and can't be around smoke at all, or some perfumes and colognes, no matter the amount worn. I start wheezing and having problems breathing very quickly upon exposure to either. This does need to be addressed.

I recently became aware that there is language inserted into Deficit Reduction Act of 2005(DRA)calling for Medicare beneficiaries to assume ownership of their oxygen equipment after 36 months. This addition to the DRA has serious implications about the financial and safety implications for vulnerable senior citizens.

I think that if the COPD community is made aware of this, and if everyone concerned contacted their congressional representative it would help to reverse this potential catastrophy for all of us.

I agree with you. Patients on 24/7 oxygen treatment have enough to worry about without having to concern themselves about the upkeep of their equipment.

I really don't like secondhand smoke. It gets on your clothes and in your hair. Not only that I have a real problem breathing after inhaling it. But if they are going to have strict guidelines about smoking, they should also have very strict guidelines about drinking as well. Drinking and drunk drivers kill people as well. Sincerely, Renee' Hanlin, Davenport, Iowa.

As the Surgeon General's report points out, the most vulnerable (those with COPD, with asthma, as well as elders, the very young...)are at greatest risk from SHS. These are also those most likely to spend the most time in their homes, which are not always smoke free, especially when they are residents of multi-unit rental housing. Please support efforts to make such housing smoke free by working with your local public housing authority. It is cost effective and the right thing to do...thanks!

I wonder when the world of people will wake up and say to themselves ---every other animal in the world runs like a deer (Bambi) at the wiff of any smoke, be it trees on fire, grass, and thing that is on fire and producing smoke.

I am an injured animal ( the human animal) from the direct breathing of smoke from the product tobacco cigarettes that were introduced to the market of innocent people. I am surviving with my injuries. Thankyou DR. Balch , author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Because of this book I got the necessary information to help me stay alive without having to use alot of medical equipment that is out there.
The bottom -Line No one No one (person , animal, or insect should breath in smoke of any form if they want to be healthy and live a healthy life. When will the Government pass a law banning the production of products that are advertised and marketed and manufactured to produce smoke and be consumed by someone .

Crazy world but I think their are some viewers that agree with me and would encourage a law to stop producing a deadly poisonous product.
Thankyou for your constant dedication to help the victoms of this product.

I need to know if smoke & fumes created by burning microwave popcorn are dangerous to asthmatics & anyone else for that matter. Sadly,this problem occurs on a daily basis in my workplace,a lovely new state of the art hospital.
It irritates my asthma,bothers my patients & the ventilatory system sems to draw the fumes from
dept's nearby into my little dept.We have no windows or doors that I leave open to try &
flush it out. I can't seem to get anyone to take
this seriously.I need proof of the environmental
impact.

Not only that I have a real problem breathing after inhaling it. But if they are going to have strict guidelines about smoking, they should also have very strict guidelines about drinking as well. Drinking and drunk drivers kill people as well!!!

Perfumes affect every hour of my life. There are aisles at the store I must avoid. I cannot count on being able to attend my sons' concerts or sporting events. I cannot always sit through church, movies, dinners at restaurants. I dread travel on public transportation such as airplanes or trains. Restrooms are full of air fresheners as are salons. We need public service ads or something so people realize how their fragrances affect those of us with asthma.