Third-hand Smoke: New Name for an Old Problem By Marcus Garner, Urban Regional Extension Agent, Morgan County

Have you ever walked passed someone and they smelled like cigarette smoke? Or have you rented a car and it smelled like cigarette smoke? If you answered yes to these questions, then you have been exposed to "third-hand" cigarette smoke.

So what exactly is third-hand cigarette smoke? Third-hand cigarette smoke is a new name for an old problem. Researchers from across the country have determined that third-hand cigarette smoke is the tobacco smoke residue or chemicals that remain after the cigarette has long been extinguished. These toxins can build up over time. The term is also used to describe an invisible yet toxic brew of gases and particles that cling to a smoker's hair, clothing, furniture, walls, and carpet long after the smoker has exited the room (Rabin, 2009). For instance, one cigarette will coat the surface of a certain room or automobile and a second cigarette will add another coat. Each time someone smokes, more smoke gets trapped in that area. The chemicals from the trapped smoke pollute the air and eventually our lungs.

Why be concerned about third-hand cigarette smoke?
In 2006, the United States surgeon general reported there was no "risk-free" level of tobacco exposure. There are 250 poisonous toxins found in cigarette smoke and smoking creates more than 200 poisonous gases, many of which are carcinogenic in nature. Among the most dangerous are chemicals like cyanide, ammonia, lead, arsenic, and radioactive compounds like polonium-210 (Kern, 2009). For years, the dangers associated with first- and second-hand cigarette smoke have been expressed to the public. Health problems like asthma, emphysema, lung cancer, and death are just a few of the health hazards linked to smoking (Science Daily, 2008).

Third-hand cigarette smoke poses the greatest health risk to children, especially those who live in homes with smokers. Young children who crawl or climb onto contaminated surfaces and play with contaminated toys often ingest toxins when they place their hands in their mouths. Similar to low-level lead exposure, low levels of tobacco particulates have been associated with cognitive deficits among children and the higher the exposure level, the lower the reading scores (Science Daily, 2008). Currently, many of the dangers associated with third-hand cigarette smoke are unknown. However, it is clear that cigarette smoke and the chemicals associated with it are dangerous to anyone exposed to them (Martin, 2009; Rabin, 2009).

In conclusion, here are some helpful reminders concerning the protection of human health and wellness as related to smoking.

• To protect your family and home environment, smoke outdoors and wash your hands after smoking. Remember, smoke also coats your skin, clothing, and hair.
• Clean rooms subjected to smoking and all their contents, especially those belonging to small children.
• Or it might just be easier to just stop smoking!!!

Martin, T. (2009). Third-hand smoke: A threat to our children. About.com: Smoking Cessation. Children. Retrieved January 12, 2010.

Massachusetts General Hospital. (2008, December 31). Third-hand smoke: Another reason to quit smoking. Science Daily. Retrieved January 12, 2010.

Rabin, R. C. (2009). A new cigarette hazard: Third-hand smoke. The New York Times. Retrieved January 12, 2010.

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