Third-hand smoke is rarely talked about. Some might have not even heard of it before. Parents of special needs kids whose children have asthma need to know that third-hand smoke is just as dangerous as first- or second-hand smoke to a child.
According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), the study showed "that when this residual nicotine reacts with ambient nitrous acid it forms carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or TSNAs," said Hugo Destaillats, a corresponding author of the study."
Third-hand smoke is the resulting residue on surfaces indoors. If you think going outside to smoke is helping, according to this release, it is not. According to another co-author, Lara Gundel, "Smoking outside is better than smoking indoors but nicotine residues will stick to a smoker's skin and clothing, Those residues follow a smoker back inside and get spread everywhere. The biggest risk is to young children,"
If you come back inside, and your child hugs you, grabs your hand, or otherwise comes in physical contact with you or your clothes, he or she has made contact with third-hand smoke.
Parents whose children have severe asthma know all too well what dust can do to his or her child. Third-hand smoke is just as deadly to the child's airways. Even in public spots like restaurants that have people going outside to smoke and then re-entering the restaurants by patrons or staff, can spread the third-hand residue.
The only answer is for a parent to quit smoking completely. As tough as that may be, it is in the child's and the parent's best interest.
For more information on how to quit smoking: Smoke Free (Government site)
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