The dangers of “third-hand” smoke
There’s a new category of cigarette smoke that scientists are issuing health warnings about – it’s called third-hand smoke. It’s the smoke residue that lingers in carpets and on walls, clothing, and furniture. More dangerous than previously believed, third-hand smoke can add to the existing health hazards of first- and second-hand smoke and indoor pollution. Nicotine in third-hand smoke can react with the ozone in indoor air and surfaces like clothing and furniture, to form other pollutants, and it can pose hazards in situations such as babies crawling on carpets, people taking a nap on the sofa, or eating food tainted with the smoke particles.
The recent study was published in the American Chemical Society‘s journal, Environmental Science & Technology. The article noted the researchers found that nicotine interacts with ozone, in indoor air, to form potentially toxic pollutants on these surfaces. “Given the toxicity of some of the identified products and that small particles may contribute to adverse health effects, the present study indicates that exposure to [third-hand smoke] may pose additional health risks,” the article’s author notes.
