The statement that “there is no safe level for cigarette smoke exposure” is taking on new meaning with the release of a recent study's results. The study that was published in the journal, Pediatrics, January 1, 2009;123(1) titled "Beliefs About the Health Effects of 'Thirdhand' Smoke and Home Smoking Bans" introduces a new terminology “third hand” cigarette smoke to the fight against smoking related illnesses. The study concludes that spreading the message about thirdhand cigarette smoke by adding the new term to public campaigns may help encourage home smoking bans and spare children the related negative health effects.
Thirdhand Cigarette Smoke Definition
Second hand cigarette smoke has already been shown to have detrimental effects on women’s reproductive health. This and other negative health effects related to second hand smoking have caused restaurants, federal buildings and other work places to ban cigarette smoking on their premises. The old adage that only visible cigarette smoke is harmful has been debunked. Cigarette smoke contains toxins in the form of particulate matter that is deposited on all exposed surfaces and also toxic gases that can linger in the air for extended periods of time (up to months). Anyone entering a room that has been previously smoked in is exposed to these lingering toxins; this is the study’s definition of exposure to "third hand smoke”. Constituents of thirdhand smoke can be found on carpets, a smoker’s clothes and children’s toys.
Children Are the Main Victims of Thirdhand Cigarette Smoke
The World Health Organization estimates that over 700 million children (about one half) are exposed to cigarette smoke, where most of the exposure occurs at home. Besides the ambient cigarette smoke, it has now been established that the toxins in the smoke settle on surfaces to which the children are exposed. Children and babies play on these surfaces like the carpet and inhale the smoke particulates. The thirdhand cigarette smoke study estimates that children ingest 0.25 g/day of dust which may contain the cigarette toxins. The toxins include neurotoxins and other compounds that can delay cognitive skills. Strategies used to lessen exposure include smoking outside with the door closed and changing clothes after smoking (cigarette smoke toxins are known settle on clothes).
Banning Cigarette Smoking in Homes can Lessen Emergency Room Visits
In another study published in the Tobacco Control 2008;17:32-37 “Smoking in the Home and Children’s Health,” the researchers set out to determine the relationship between in home smoking and the number of visits the children who lived in these homes made to the emergency room. The visits tallied were related to respiratory ailments. The study concluded that children exposed to second hand smoke suffered from related respiratory conditions requiring more trips to the emergency room when compared to children who lived in homes where smoking was banned.
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