What's third-hand smoke? Researchers say it's far more dangerous than we ever realized.

"The results indicate potentially severe, long-term consequences, particularly to children."

Have you ever walked out of a building and smelled smoke even after the smoker has moved on? Or maybe caught a whiff on someone's clothes long after their cigarette has been extinguished? That's what scientists have termed - third hand smoke, and its effects may have been greatly underestimated.

Research led by the University of York has highlighted the potential cancer risk in non-smokers – particularly young children – of tobacco smoke gases and particles deposited to surfaces and in household dust.

Until now, the risks of this kind of exposure have not been well studied or considered in public policy.

However, a new study published in the journal Environment International, has estimated for the first time the potential cancer risk by age group through non-dietary ingestion and skin exposure to third hand smoke. The results indicate potentially severe, long-term consequences, particularly to children.

The research was carried out by York’s Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and the Chromatography and Environmental Applications research group at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain.

The study demonstrates for the first time the widespread presence of tobacco related carcinogens in house dust, even in ‘smoke-free’ environments.

Scientists collected dust samples from private homes occupied by both smokers and non-smokers. Using observations of house dust composition, they estimated the cancer risk by applying the most recent official toxicology information.

They found that for children aged one to six years old, the cancer risks exceeded the limit recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in three quarters of smokers’ homes and two thirds of non-smokers’ homes. The maximum risk predicted from the third hand smoke levels in a smoker occupied home equated to one extra cancer case per one thousand population exposed.

Lead investigator, Dr Jacqueline Hamilton, from York’s Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, said: “The risks of tobacco exposure do not end when a cigarette is extinguished. Non-smokers, especially children, are also at risk through contact with surfaces and dust contaminated with residual smoke gases and particles, the so-called third hand smoke. This risk should not be overlooked and its impact should be included in future educational programs and tobacco-related public health policies.”

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Study: Exposure to tobacco smoke residue on surfaces just as bad as breathing it in.

Photo: pat138241/freedigitalphotos.net

Third-hand smoke is just as deadly as first-hand smoke, says a scientist at the University of California, Riverside who, along with colleagues, conducted the first animal study of the effects of third-hand smoke.
While first-hand smoke refers to the smoke inhaled by a smoker and second-hand smoke to the exhaled smoke and other substances emanating from a burning cigarette that can get inhaled by others, third-hand smoke is the second-hand smoke that gets left on the surfaces of objects, ages over time and becomes progressively more toxic.

“We studied, on mice, the effects of third-hand smoke on several organ systems under conditions that simulated third-hand smoke exposure of humans,” said Manuela Martins-Green, a professor of cell biology who led the study.  “We found significant damage occurs in the liver and lung. Wounds in these mice took longer to heal.  Further, these mice displayed hyperactivity.”

The results of the study provide a basis for studies on the toxic effects of third-hand smoke in humans and serve to inform potential regulatory policies aimed at preventing involuntary exposure to third-hand smoke.

Third-hand smoke is a potential health threat to children, spouses of smokers and workers in environments where smoking is, or has been, allowed. Contamination of the homes of smokers by third-hand smoke is high, both on surfaces and in dust, including children’s bedrooms.  Re-emission of nicotine from contaminated indoor surfaces in these households can lead to nicotine exposure levels similar to that of smoking. Third-hand smoke, which contains strong carcinogens, has been found to persist in houses, apartments and hotel rooms after smokers move out.

The  team was surprised to find that the damage caused by third-hand smoke extends to several organs in the body.

“More recently we have found that exposure to third-hand smoke results in changes that can lead to type II diabetes even when the person is not obese,” Martins-Green said. “There is still much to learn about the specific mechanisms by which cigarette smoke residues harm nonsmokers, but that there is such an effect is now clear.  Children in environments where smoking is, or has been allowed, are at significant risk for suffering from multiple short-term and longer health problems, many of which may not manifest fully until later in life.”

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Reduce your exposure to airborne tobacco by-products with an AllerAir air purifier for tobacco smoke and odor. Unlike conventional air cleaners, AllerAir air purifiers remove airborne chemicals and odors as well as fine particles. Our units feature the largest industrial-grade activated carbon filters to remove more pollutants. Connect with us to learn more www.allerair.com.

Protect children from thirdhand smoke: Pediatrician

No smoke is good smoke when it comes to children.

It’s not enough to go outside to smoke when there are young children in the home, experts warn.

According to pediatricians, even after a cigarette is extinguished and the secondhand smoke has disappeared, smoke chemicals and particles linger on surfaces, materials, clothing and hair.

This “thirdhand” smoke poses a significant risk to children and pets.

Recently released information from the Philip Morris Company presented clear evidence that a highly toxic and cancer-causing substance known as 4-(methylnitrosamino)-I-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is present for hours after a cigarette has been smoked.

The chemicals and particles remain in the air as well as on surfaces and in household dust, where they can be inhaled or ingested by infants and young children.

A recent study revealed that 18 percent of children (32 million children) are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. When children were tested for cotinine, a by-product of nicotine exposure from secondhand or thirdhand smoke exposure, more than half (54%) of children had detectable levels.

Health effects of secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure

Tobacco smoke can be extremely detrimental to children’s health. Secondhand smoke exposure has been linked to

• Asthma
• Sudden infant death syndrome
• Dental cavities
• Ear, sinus and lung infections
• Developmental delays
• Sleep problems
• Poor school performance
• Higher risk of becoming a smoker, too

Most parents know that their smoking is harmful to their children, but it can be very difficult to quit. Experts recommend taking advantage of all the help there is, including talking to your doctors, leaning on supportive family members, quit lines and more.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Air purifiers for tobacco smoke toxins

The 5000 DS air purifier
can handle tobacco smoke
odors, chemicals and particles.

Lingering odors, particles and chemicals from tobacco smoke is not only dangerous for children, it can also be a major irritant to the home’s occupants and visitors.

Opening windows to increase ventilation is a good step toward better air quality, but commonly used gimmicks such as incense and air freshening products only add to the toxic chemical load in the air.

A sure-fire way to remove harmful chemicals, particles and odors from the ambient is with the help of an AllerAir air purifier that is specifically designed for tobacco smoke.

The 5000 DS and similar air purifiers feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter for chemicals, odors and fumes, a HEPA filter for fine particles and a tar-trapping pre-filter to prevent clogging. Other features and options are available.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Did you ever have to deal with tobacco smoke odors and what worked for you? Let us know!

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Health effects of passive smoking and thirdhand smoke

Environmental tobacco smoke requires
more research on health effects, experts say.

People used to be worried most about the health effects of inhaling smoke, either as a smoker or as a bystander.

But more and more research points to the growing health concern of thirdhand smoke, which describes the pollutants that persist long after the initial smoke has gone.

Thirdhand smoke exposure happens in indoor spaces where tobacco was recently or regularly used.

Most people will recognize the smell of stale tobacco smoke, and the odor persists because the toxins cling to indoor surfaces, clothing and hair, furnishings and dust.

Researchers have identified more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, including cancer-causing chemicals like arsenic, benzene, cadmium, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde and toluene.

Exposure to thirdhand smoke occurs with unintentional intake (inhalation and ingestion for example), which can happen long after smoking has ceased, the authors of a recent article in Environmental Health Perspectives warn. Children and pets may be most at risk because they are lower to the ground and often chew on toys and inhale more dust.

The researchers propose that the terms “passive smoking” or “environmental tobacco smoke” be used as a more inclusive term to describe any tobacco smoke exposure outside of active smoking, and that the health effects be studied more and separately from secondhand smoking.

Remove indoor air pollution from smoking

Smoking indoors is never a good idea, but many people live with one or more household member that smokes. Opening a window or relying on existing ventilation systems are not be enough to protect household members from harmful toxins.

Air purifiers for tobacco smoke:
AllerAir's DS models

Neither is a HEPA-only air purifier from the department store, which can only handle the dust and particles that pollute indoor environments, but won’t be effective for the chemicals and odors that affect the health and well-being of the household members.

AllerAir has designed a special line of air purifiers for tobacco and environmental smoke, which targets all of the toxins associated with tobacco smoke, including chemicals, odors and particles.

The DS models (like the 5000 DS or the 6000 DS) feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter for the removal of gaseous pollutants and odors, a HEPA filter for particles and special tar-trapping pre-filters to protect the main filters and prevent clogging.

Contact AllerAir for more information and to find the right air purifier model for your circumstances.

Report: Third-hand Smoke Dangerous for Children

It’s a fairly new buzzword, and it’s making waves in and outside the indoor air quality (IAQ) industry. It’s called ‘third-hand smoke’. The term refers to the lingering toxic particles that remain on clothing, hair, furniture and various other surfaces long after a cigarette has been stubbed out. New research shows that these particles can be especially dangerous to babies and children, who can inhale these lingering poisons.

Most smokers and non-smokers alike have heard of the dangers of first- and second-hand smoke. The indoor air quality industry answers a large demand from both smokers (who don’t want to bother non-smokers) and non-smokers (who are bothered by smokers).

Certainly AllerAir doesn’t put itself in the position of condemning or condoning smoking, whether indoors or outdoors, but we will be the first to express the negative effects smoking has on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

According to Health Canada, Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a combination of exhaled smoke and the smoke produced by an idling cigarette, cigar or pipe. It consists of solid particles, liquids and gases.

Over 4,000 different chemical compounds have been identified in ETS, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, arsenic, dioxins and furans. More than 50 of these substances are known carcinogens. Others are known or suspected mutagens, capable of changing the genetic structure of cells.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently declared ETS to be a class-A-carcinogen, since many of its components are also found in industrial effluents where they are treated as hazardous waste.

According to the EPA, children's exposure to secondhand smoke is responsible for:

1. Increases in the number of asthma attacks and severity of symptoms in 200,000 to 1,000,000 children with asthma
2. Between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections (for children under 18 months of age)
3. Respiratory tract infections resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations each year

We feel the best way to avoid the dangers associated with first, second and third-hand smoke is to stop smoking altogether. For those who do smoke, or who are surrounded by smokers, AllerAir has a full line of air purifiers designed specifically to tackle the dangerous properties of smoke.

Available in our 5000 and 6000 series, our smokers’ units are equipped with:
· Deep (“DS”) or extra-deep (“DX S”) carbon beds to adsorb the dangerous particles, chemicals and odors associated with cigarettes, cigars and other alternative smoking products
· Unique tar-trapping filters to collect the sticky tar droplets associated with cigarettes, which clog conventional air cleaners
· Between 24 lbs. and 36 lbs. pounds of activated carbon

For more information on air purification systems for smoking applications, contact 888.852.8247 to speak to one of AllerAir's Indoor Air Quality Experts, or visit www.allerair.com and click on Tobacco Smoke.

Study Reveals Dangers of Third-Hand Smoke

A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics reveals interesting research that gives smokers one more reason to keep their New Year’s resolution to quit smoking.

According to the research, lead by Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, even if a smoker goes outside for a puff, the lingering smell of smoke, dubbed ‘third-hand smoke’, can be harmful to others, especially children.

Most smokers are well aware of the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke, but this research reveals that the brew of gases and particles associated with cigarettes adheres to clothing, furniture, hair, carpeting and a host of other things that smokers come in contact with, and can affect the health of others long after the cigarette has been stubbed out.

So even if you smoke when nobody’s home, third-hand smoke still lurks; the toxins are just as harmful, but invisible.

AllerAir has designed a full line of air purifiers to adsorb the dangerous toxins associated with cigarettes, cigars and other smoking alternatives. Our Smoking Series of air cleaners are equipped with a deep carbon bed, a HEPA filtration system, as well as a unique tar-trapping pre-filter to provide the most advanced adsorption of harmful smoking chemicals.

For more information, contact one of our Indoor Air Quality Experts at 888.852.8247 or visit www.allerair.com.