 [ Symptoms ] how can i gain weight [ Disease ] second hand smoke is tobacco smoke exhaled by a smoker and involuntarily breathed in by another person here are some 2nd hand smoke facts according to the national cancer society •at least 69 chemicals produced by 2nd hand smoke are known to cause cancer •2nd hand smoke does cause cancer in nonsmokers •2nd hand smoke has also been associated with heart disease in adults and ear infections asthma sudden death syndrome in children •2nd hand smoke has no safe exposure level i am not an expert on building structures or their air circulation systems and do not have technical details of your building is air circulation system with that said i will provide my understanding of the air quality in many office buildings occupied today and referred to as sick buildings these buildings may have poor air exchange systems filtering systems that are inadequate in size not adequately cleaned or otherwise properly maintained my own anecdotal accounting is that many of these types of building almost never receive fresh air as windows are only for the aesthetic purpose of providing natural light the windows are sometimes permanently fixed shut in effect the building occupants may be continually breathing the same polluted air irritations of the eyes ears and throats are frequent complaints of these building occupants due in part to chemical and environmental containments from indoor and outdoor sources in summary •2nd hand smoke is dangerous it can cause cancer and other chronic health problems •many office buildings today circulate unhealthy air • my conclusion is that your health problems at least in part may be due to the effects of 2nd hand smoke being breathed in while working in your office building