Thirdhand smoke: Why is it a health risk?
Thirdhand smoke is the collection of pollutants and constituents that settle on indoor surfaces when smoking or using e-cigarettes. These toxic particles and chemicals are formed when they react with natural chemicals found in the atmosphere. This tertiary smoke contains more than 250 chemicals, including nicotine and carcinogens such as formaldehyde and naphthalene.
Over time, Thirdhand smoke materials accumulate on surfaces. It can penetrate most soft surfaces, such as clothing, furniture, curtains, bedding, and carpets. It can also settle as dust-like particles on hard surfaces such as walls, floors, and cars. Smoke particles can linger for several months, even after you stop smoking.
This thirdhand smoke cannot be eliminated by simply ventilating rooms, opening windows, using fans or air conditioners, or restricting smoking to certain areas of the home. Traditional house cleaning is often ineffective in removing tertiary smoke substances from surfaces.
Thirdhand smoke contains substances that pose a potential health risk to non-smokers, especially children. These chemicals can be exposed to people by touching contaminated surfaces or inhaling the gases that tertiary smoke may release.
Young children and infants are more likely to be exposed to tertiary smoke than adults due to their activities, such as crawling and putting non-food items in their mouths. In addition, children spend more time indoors.
Recent studies have shown that secondhand smoke causes serious health issues, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems. While the impact of thirdhand smoke—exposure to toxins left behind by smoke—has not been fully explored, research indicates that indoor smoking significantly increases the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Ventilation and cleaning cannot fully eliminate the risks associated with thirdhand smoke.
How much tertiary secondhand smoke can be safely inhaled?
There is no safe amount of direct, secondhand, or thirdhand smoke inhalation. The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends preventing children’s exposure to any type of tobacco smoke.
How to prevent exposure to thirdhand smoke?
Preventing exposure to thirdhand smoke involves banning smoking inside the house or car. Many believe smoking outdoors or changing clothes eliminates the risks, but the only way to fully prevent thirdhand smoke exposure is to quit smoking or never start. To protect non-smokers, especially young children, from the dangers of thirdhand smoke, it’s crucial to enforce a complete ban on indoor smoking, including in cars.
What is fourth-degree smoking?
In contrast, fourthhand smoke refers to the tobacco residue and ingredients that smokers carry on their skin, hair, and clothing. People who interact with these smokers directly or touch their clothing may inhale or ingest the smoke released into the air.
Although the concept of fourthhand smoke is still new, some research has suggested it may be harmful. Increased exposure to thirdhand and fourthhand smoke has been shown to raise nicotine levels in the urine of non-smokers. A separate study indicated that mice exposed to fourthhand smoke experienced an increase in oxidative stress. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the negative effects of fourthhand smoke on human health.
To minimize the spread of fourth-hand smoke, smokers are advised to avoid smoking indoors, wash their hands frequently, and cover their noses and mouths when interacting with others.
The only way to protect non-smokers, especially young children, from the dangers of thirdhand smoke is to ban all forms of smoking indoors, including inside cars. For more information and guidance, contact Bimaristan Medical Center in Turkey.