3rd Hand Smoke - Dangers of 3rd Hand Smoke

from http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/second-secondaire/thirdhand-tertiaire_e.php

Canadian Lung Association seems to know something the American Lung Association doesn't know.

used without permission with the sole intent to inform and instruct.

"Third-hand smoke

For a long time we've talked about second-hand smoke, the smoke that drifts into the air as someone lights up. Most people understand that second-hand smoke is full of toxic chemicals. Most people know these chemicals you make you sick, or even kill you. Now we're learning more about third-hand smoke- the smoke that gets trapped in hair, skin, fabric, carpet, furniture, and toys.

Third-hand smoke has the same toxic chemicals as second-hand smoke. People should be protected from third-hand smoke.
What is third-hand smoke?

Third-hand smoke is a new name for an old problem – the toxic chemicals in smoke that stick around even after the smoker has put out the cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Third-hand smoke gets trapped in hair, skin, fabric, carpet, furniture, and toys. It builds up over time. Each time someone smokes, more smoke gets trapped in the fabric, furniture, walls, and other things around them. The chemicals from the trapped smoke pollute the air and get into people's lungs and bodies.

If you are in a room or car where people usually smoke, even if they aren't smoking right then, you are exposed to third-hand smoke. This means you are exposed to toxic chemicals like lead and arsenic.

Third-hand smoke also gets into household dust, which babies swallow when they put their hands in their mouths.1 Babies take in more third-hand smoke chemicals because they breathe more quickly and because they spend more time on the floor. Babies can take in 20 times more third-hand smoke than adults.2

Learn how to protect yourself from second-hand and third-hand smoke

References

1. Matt GE, Quintana PJ, Hovell MF, Bernert JT, Song S, Novianti N, Juarez T, Floro J, Gehrman C, Garcia M, Larson S. Households contaminated by environmental tobacco smoke: sources of infant exposures. Tob Control. 2004 Mar;13(1):29-37. See also Winickoff JP et al. (Beliefs about the health effects of "thirdhand" smoke and home smoking bans. Pediatrics, 2009: 123(1):e74 -9.

Smoking affects Children Indoors

NY Times article about New Cigarette Hazard - 3rd Hand Smoke

A wonderful article about the new dangers of 3rd Hand Smoke.

Read it and learn... below is my favorite bit from the article>

"The central message here is that simply closing the kitchen door to take a smoke is not protecting the kids from the effects of that smoke,” he said. “There are carcinogens in this third-hand smoke, and they are a cancer risk for anybody of any age who comes into contact with them.”

Among the substances in third-hand smoke are hydrogen cyanide, used in chemical weapons; butane, which is used in lighter fluid; toluene, found in paint thinners; arsenic; lead; carbon monoxide; and even polonium-210, the highly radioactive carcinogen"

California Researchers Raise Concerns About ‘Thirdhand Smoke’ « CBS San Francisco

California Researchers Raise Concerns About ‘Thirdhand Smoke’ « CBS San Francisco

Protect your family from 3rd-hand smoke

from Idaho Mountain Express...

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005133267

Protect your family from 3rd-hand smoke

St. Luke’s Health Watch

By ERIN BUELL

"Could you please change your shirt before you hold my baby?"

This random-sounding request actually supports some of the latest warnings about nicotine, smoke and small children. Third-hand smoke presents a health hazard that is worth paying attention to.

First-hand tobacco smoke is the active inhalation of tobacco from smoking a cigarette. Second-hand smoke is the passive inhalation of tobacco smoke coming directly from the burning end of a cigarette, which may then be inhaled by the smoker or someone else. The residue of tobacco and the nicotine and other chemicals from a cigarette that is no longer burning are referred to as third-hand smoke. The byproducts of third-hand smoke stick to hair and clothing, furniture, walls, rugs and other surfaces.

It may seem logical that third-hand smoke would be less toxic than that of first- or second-hand intake. Surprisingly, third-hand smoke may, in fact, be equally or even more harmful, especially for children.

Though children now learn early on of the hazards of cigarette smoking, it wasn't until the 1950s that scientific reports were taken seriously that there may be a link between cigarette smoking and cancer. It took many more years for evidence to be gathered and documented to support the link between second-hand smoke and illnesses. With further studies, it is becoming evident that the residual elements of cigarette smoke also pose significant health risks. With more than 60 known carcinogens, these invisible toxins are especially risky to children who may crawl on, snuggle with, chew, touch or play on surfaces that are contaminated.

Due to their developing bodies, children and babies are more susceptible to the toxins of tobacco than adults. Children also have a quicker breathing rate than adults, so they may be breathing more of a toxic substance than an adult during a specific time frame of exposure.

Nicotine from cigarette smoke turns into a vapor that is easily absorbed into surfaces, where it can remain for days, weeks or even months. To compound the risks, studies from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California have revealed, nicotine and related toxins, when mixed with certain other common airborne pollutants in our environment, can significantly increase the levels of carcinogens. The most potent of these carcinogens is tobacco-specific nitrosamines. These toxins can be ingested through the mouth, by touch or by inhalation with contaminated airborne particles such as dust. When contaminated dust particles settle into flooring, especially carpeting, in homes with cigarette smokers, the toxins can accumulate over time to the point that the carpeting can never be adequately cleaned. Children playing and crawling on the floor are potentially exposed to significant levels of carcinogens.
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The well-being of a child is largely dependent upon the adults that care for him or her. Of course, the best solution to keep children away from third-hand smoke in a home is for their caregivers to stop smoking. But at the very least, caregivers should take steps to keep small children away from environments that have residual smoke. Parents or caregivers who are smokers must take extra care to keep smoke and smoke residue out of the house and car, change out of smoky clothing and wash face and hands before touching a child, and be diligent about keeping children away from environments that have been inhabited by smokers.

Perhaps one more rule for parents to have about child safety is overwhelming—or even annoying. The list of concerns around keeping our children safe is certainly longer than a generation ago. However, rules do change. Statistics and developments in health and science can be useful tools to help us learn more, ask smarter questions and make better choices as individuals and as parents, and to give our kids just one more way to grow up healthy and safe.

Erin Buell is the community outreach coordinator for St. Luke's Community Health.

Science Friday 3RD Hand Smoke issues

from Science Friday with Host Ira Flatow

Third-Hand Smoke

Photo by Flickr user Vanessa Pike-Russell

You know smoking can be hazardous to your health. Then came 'second-hand smoke.' Now, health researchers are cautioning about 'third-hand smoke' -- residues from smoking that linger on surfaces. The toxins, including heavy metals and carcinogens, can attach easily to hair or clothing, and be passed on to children long after the actual smoke has cleared. We'll talk about the risks, and what can be done to avert them.

3rd Hand Smoke dangers

From Rodale.com how to get the upper hand against 3rd Hand SMoke

3RD HAND SMOKING DANGERS

It just does not take much to use your brain when you smell Cigarette smoke. You know it smells bad... but did you know that the Smell of Cigarette Smoke on someones clothes is JUST AS BAD??? Its Called 3rd Hand Smoke. And its evil and toxic!

I've become passionate again about Anti-Smoking now that I've read more about the dangers of 3rd Hand Smoke.

just look at those links. Read what they say and Form your opinion. Unless your brain is already devoid of original thought you will begin to understand as I do now how bad 3rd Hand Smoke really is.