California Air Resources Board

Overview

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), also known as secondhand smoke (SHS), is a complex mixture of chemicals generated during the burning and smoking of tobacco products. Researchers have identified over 4,000 individual compounds in ETS, many of which are known or suspected carcinogens and respiratory toxicants.

On January 26, 2006, California Air Resources Board (CARB), following a lengthy review and public outreach process, determined Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) to be a Toxic Air Contaminant (TAC) under the mandate of Assembly Bill 1807. The review and outreach process for this identification began in 2001 and all notices and technical documents related to CARB's review can be found on this website. Public comments made in response to CARB and OEHHA's findings during the review process have also been published.

The ETS team continues to look at how the public is exposed to this contaminant and to identify options to reduce or eliminate this exposure.

CARB and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) published a comprehensive report as (Q and A format) on public exposure to ETS and the resulting health effects.