'Third-hand smoke': A new term, more health dangers

William Atkins
Monday, 05 January 2009 18:54

Science - Health

Researchers lead by Boston’s MassGeneral Hospital for Children used a new term ('third-hand smoke') for the lingering effects of tobacco smoke that contaminates carpets, drapes, clothing, and other materials after the smoke itself has disappeared. As a hospital for children, doctors and staff at MassGeneral are troubled by the dangers of 'third-hand' smoke to the health of all children.


Headed by researchers from the Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy (CCAHP) at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children (MGHfC) in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., the medical researchers wrote up their conclusions in the January 2009 issue of journal Pediatrics.

The title of the article is “Beliefs About the Health Effects of ‘Thirdhand’ Smoke and Home Smoking Bans.”

Lead author Jonathan Winickoff, who is the assistant director of the MGHfC Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy, states, "When you smoke anyplace toxic particulate matter from tobacco smoke gets into your hair and clothing.”

Winickoff added, “When you come into contact with your baby, even if you're not smoking at the time, she comes in contact with those toxins. And if you breastfeed, the toxins will transfer to your baby in your breastmilk." [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEBN): “Third-hand smoke: Another reason to quit smoking”]

The authors contend, within the abstract of their paper, that, “There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Thirdhand smoke is residual tobacco smoke contamination that remains after the cigarette is extinguished. Children are uniquely susceptible to thirdhand smoke exposure.”

Because of these dangers of third-hand smoke to children, the researchers decided to determine the health risks of third-hand smoke to children.

Specifically, they wanted to assess the health beliefs of U.S. adults regarding the exposure of third-hand smoke to children, and to determine if smokers and non-smokers have differing beliefs.

Page two continues the third-hand smoking story.