What do formaldehyde, butane and arsenic have in common? They are just three of the 4000 chemicals found in cigarettes and absorbed into the body while smoking—and also into anyone who happens to be close by. While information on the harmful effects of smoking and second-hand smoke has been available for years, researchers now warn cigarette dangers may be even more far-reaching because of something called third-hand smoke.
A team of researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that remnants of smoke, referred to as third-hand smoke, not only settle onto surfaces, but can react with a common gas (nitrous acid, which is emitted from gas appliances and vehicles, among other sources) to create carcinogenic compounds known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). The group reported the findings in a study published last February in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Only recently, however, has the general public been made aware of the threats posed by third-hand smoke.
Third-hand smoke refers to the tobacco toxins that build up over time. The toxins in third-hand smoke remain after visible or second-hand smoke has dissipated from the air. According to the study, smokers themselves are also contaminated, actually emitting toxins from clothing and hair.
Robert Sullivan, director of cardiopulmonary at Florida Hospital Flagler was not surprised by the findings of the study. “Whenever someone smokes, you can smell it on their clothes and you can see it on walls of their house or on walls in establishments where smoking is permitted,” said Sullivan. “Anywhere they smoke, the toxins from the cigarette will remain.” Sullivan said hopefully this study will encourage people to quit smoking. “Every smoker needs to try and quit. It’s the only way they can protect their children from second and third-hand smoke.”
Small children are especially susceptible to third-hand smoke exposure because they can inhale near, crawl and play on, or touch and mouth contaminated surfaces. Similar to low-level lead exposure, low levels of tobacco particulates have been associated with cognitive deficits among children and the higher the exposure level, the lower the reading score.
“Although this concept (third hand smoke) may be new to some, we have been warning parents about this for the past three years," said Dr. Bonnie J. Soresen, Volusia County Health Department Director. "New parents may think stepping outside to smoke is enough but we warn them about the residual left on their clothing. Just as soon as they are finished smoking many parents either go directly back into the home and pick up their infant or handle infants clothing and/or utensils. I think this may be a warning to many parents that no level of exposure is safe for kids.”
The Volusia County Health Department as well as Florida Hospital Flagler offer free smoking cessation programs for those who want to kick the habit. Call 877-QUIT-IT-NOW to register.
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