ANR UPDATE, 28(1), Spring 2009
Thirdhand Smoke: Growing Awareness of Health Hazard
Smoking. Secondhand smoke. We all know they're dangerous, but what about the recently coined "thirdhand smoke" - the contamination from tobacco smoke that lingers in rooms long after smoking stops and remains on our clothes after we leave a smoky restaurant? Is it merely an offensive smell, or is it also indicative of harmful exposure to tobacco toxins?
Thirdhand smoke consists of the tobacco residue from cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products that is left behind after smoking and builds up on surfaces and furnishings. Tobacco smoke is composed of numerous types of gasses and particulate matter, including carcinogens and heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, and cyanide. Sticky, highly toxic particulates, like nicotine, can cling to walls and ceilings. Gases can be absorbed into carpets, draperies, and other upholsteries. These toxic brews can then reemit back into the air and recombine to form harmful compounds. Tobacco residue is noticeably present in dust throughout places where smoking has occurred.
There is a growing body of evidence that this lingering tobacco residue has significant health risks. People, especially children and hospitality industry workers, can have considerable exposures to it. As confirmed by the 2006 Surgeon General's Report, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. And tobacco smoke toxins remain harmful even when breathed or ingested after the active smoking ends.
Children of smokers are especially at risk of thirdhand smoke exposure and contamination. The hair, clothes, homes, and cars of smokers can have significant levels of thirdhand smoke contamination. Young children are particularly vulnerable, because they can ingest tobacco residue by putting their hands in their mouths after touching contaminated surfaces.
Awareness about thirdhand smoke is increasing, and it gained a great deal of attention in January when the journal Pediatrics published a study assessing people's beliefs about the health effects of thirdhand smoke and children's level of exposure to it. However, the report found there is much less awareness about thirdhand smoke exposure than there is awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
The existence of thirdhand smoke contamination, which remains for hours and even days after smoking ceases, reaffirms the need for more smokefree places. Education is needed to inform people, especially parents, about the health risks of exposure to thirdhand smoke and to let them know that eliminating smoking is the only way to protect against tobacco smoke contamination.
Thirdhand smoke hazards are a good reason to avoid exemptions in smokefree laws that permit smoking at private events in public places or in businesses during late evening hours; these kinds of provisions do not protect people's health!
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