Other Turtle Discussion :: Any knowledge or thoughts on indoor pollution?

[CassieJade]

Turtle tank is open at the top.

I'm a smoker. Everyone in the house is a smoker. Dose this effect my turts at all??

[marisa]

Well, I don't think breathing secondhand smoke is healthy for any living thing. But if will this have any effect over the long term on your turtles, I can't say.

You could try to minimize the amount by opening windows in warmer weather. I've read that certain houseplants can help to counteract indoor air pollution and improve the air.

[CassieJade]

I have tons of indoor and outdoor plants, so that's cool. I don't smoke right over the tank, or hardly ever in the kitchen where they are. I bet I could find something somewhere about this.

[Kemul]

Uhhh... smoke outside? When I was in Oregon, there's a law saying smoking is
allowed only 30 feet outside of any building. I really appreciate that law and
people obeying it. I wish it can be done that way where I live now. People can
smoke in front of me and feel that it's just fine.

Sorry for rambling...

[coreyvht]

thats a public building its dosent work for homes ect... and yea smoking outside is a lot better then u dont get yellow ceallings

[CassieJade]

thats a public building its dosent work for homes ect... and yea smoking outside is a lot better then u dont get yellow ceallings

Yes Yes

Good thing I only smoke in the home I rent. I don't smoke in the homes I own.


What about air fresheners, inscence ect. ?

[jenaero]

I doubt incence would be any better for them (or us) than cigarette smoke. I smoke in my house but the snakes and turtles have their own rooms. I tend not to worry too much about it, as nobody is allowed in either room with a lit cigarette. Anything living in the house of course will get some second hand smoke. Open some windows and just keep the whole house well ventilated whenever possible.

[CassieJade]

My turtles are in the Dinning Room. Kitchen, living room, and dinning room are all kinda connected and open. I refused to put my turtles in the spare bedroom. I want everyone that comes over to see the beauty that is the Red Eared Slider.

[CaseFam]

i've only skimmed the thread, but i think teaching your turtles to smoke is a horrible idea.

: D

[CassieJade]

i've only skimmed the thread, but i think teaching your turtles to smoke is a horrible idea.

: D

Ha Ha

Yeah I guess I do set a bad example for my lil dudes. (that's what I call them when talkin about all three of em).

[TheComputerGremlin]

To the original question, yes, second-hand smoke may adversely effect your turtles. Scientific studies have shown that pets living with smokers have an increase in certain types of cancers. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 123420.htm) Considering that there are over 4000 chemicals in cigarettes, I would guess that at least 25% of them are water soluble, meaning that they go straight from the smoke in the air right into your turtle's water and just stay there, absorbing into its skin.

In general, yes, they may be affected and we do not know exactly how they are affected, though I would take an educated guess in saying an increased occurrence of respiratory infection and a decreased lifespan (hmm, I see a poll coming on ...). You may want to consider putting an air purifier in the room to at least combat as much as possible and remembering your 25% water changes to remove anything that has dissolved into the water. Or you could just quit.

[CassieJade]

Thanks for the info : )