Third hand smoke is a possible cancer risk, a new study shows.
Researchers shed some more light on the health problems suffered by non-smokers who inhale tobacco and particles deposited on surfaces and floating in the dust at home.
"The risks of tobacco exposure do not end when a cigarette is extinguished," said Jacqueline Hamilton, lead investigator, in a news release. "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."
For the study, samples of dust were collected from private homes where smokers and non-smokers stayed. Researchers examined the dust and estimated the cancer risk by applying the most recent toxicology information.
The researchers showed that the cancer risks surpassed the limit recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in three quarters of the houses of smokers and two third homes of non-smokers. The team stated that the maximum health risk from third hand smoke levels in a smoker occupied home could be associated with one extra cancer case per one thousand population exposed.
"Over 40 percent of children have at least one smoking parent and whereas there is a general public awareness about the harms of second hand smoke, there is little knowledge about the dangers of third hand smoke," said Alastair Lewis of the National Center for Atmospheric Science. "Carcinogenic materials can be passed from smokers to non-smokers during shared contact, for example between clothes and surfaces and also enter homes via airborne transport of cigarette smoke."
The findings are published in the journal Environment International.
