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About a year ago, research was released that "third hand smoke" was a danger to everyone's health, not just that of a smoker. Today's research confirms what many of us suspected Third hand smoke is especially dangerous to children. In a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences young children are at greatest risk of disease, as the study suggests, "Dermal uptake of the nicotine through a child's skin is likely to occur when the smoker returns and if nitrous acid is in the air, which it usually is, then TSNAs will be formed," said Lara Gundel, a co-author of the study.
The researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California studied nicotine absorbed on indoor material and also analysed the interior of a smoker's truck. Last year studies regarding third hand smoke revealed that a person or child can be exposed to the harmful effect of tobacco residue even just standing in an elevator with someone who has been smoking.
It's no secret that smoking and second hand smoke are a leading cause of cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, pulmonary disease and birth defects. In children pediatricians warn of the dangers to children exposed to second hand smoke as seen in allergies, chronic infections, asthma and other breathing difficulties.
What is "third hand smoke?"
Third hand smoke is defined as "the residual contamination from tobacco smoke that remains after a cigarette is extinguished—toxic dust that settles onto surfaces and harmful volatile compounds that disperse in the air." The residue includes carcinogens, heavy metals and even radioactive materials. These residual materials may be in the air, the paint, carpet or other surfaces, and of course on your clothing, and in your hair or on your person.
Many smokers say, "I'll smoke outside," but that doesn't keep third hand smoke away. That smell and residue that clings to your clothing, hair and hands can be absorbed by others. But Dr Hugo Destaillats, an environmental chemist who worked on the study, said this would not offer complete protection.
They said: "Because of their frequent contact with surfaces - such as clothes, skin and furniture - and dust, infants and children are particularly at risk."
Was your New Year's Resolution to stop smoking? With this information regarding the dangers of third hand smoke to your family isn't now the time to get serious about it? Consider these Houston area resources to help you stop smoking:
Smoking Cessation in Houston: A list of sources available to help you stop smoking
MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston - (713) 792-6161
The Methodist Hospital
6565 Fannin Street, Houston - (713) 790-3311
Comments
Great article and important information to be learned.
As if we don't have enough pollution to deal with, now we have to worry about getting sick from people who smoke even if they don't smoke in front of us? This is frightening news.
I never knew that there was 3rd hand smoke.
Thanks, this is the first I have heard about third hand smoke. I guess we shouldn't hug or kiss a smoker! Maybe that will get them to stop smoking sooner.
Interesting!
excellent article
I hate it when someone comes into a doctor's waiting room, sits next to you, and stinks of smoke. It makes me feel sick.
I was going to write about this too, great job!
:)
Third culture kids examiner
Seattle stay-at-home moms examiner
Thanks for the info.
Good to know.
Good article. I'm really sensitive to cigarette smoke and can get migraines just smelling what is left on clothing.
Indianapolis Healthy Living Examiner
Sims Examiner
This study appears to be wall to wall junk science. They seem to be most worried about "carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines or TSNAs..several hundred nanograms per square meter of nitrosamines" (1)
Guess where Nitrosamines are also formed? Cooking fish, where TSNAs are measured in microgrammes, but in the Berkeley paper nanogrammes a factor of a thousand times smaller. (2)
Nitrosamines are also found in ham, milk, children's balloons and tap water. (3)
Finally the World Health Organization's cancer mouthpiece the International Agency Research on Cancer says on Nitrosamines: "5.2 Human carcinogenicity data. No data were (sic) available to the Working Group." (4)
So we have a dose that is so low, cooking a fish produces 1,000 times more "carcinogens" on a chemical which has not been proven to cause cancer in the first place.
Junk science that insults the intelligence.
newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2010/02/08/dangers-of-third-hand-smoke/
hidden deep in the bowels of all the bells and whistles there was the basic "assumption" of a HONO level literally 1,500% *GREATER* than you would normally find in people's homes. The "meaning" of this study is just as big a lie as that of the ThirdHand Smoke study done a year ago
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