Smoking in all its forms is injurious to health. In general, tobacco, the main component in a cigarette, kills up to half of its users who don't quit. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it kills more than 80 lakh people each year, including an estimated 10.3 lakh non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, "Secondhand smoke exposure occurs when people breathe in smoke breathed out by people who smoke or from burning tobacco products." As per the health body, this type of smoke exposure can also lead to serious health problems ranging from heart disease, stroke, and respiratory problems.
However, in this article, we discuss something similar but not as widely talked about, which is third-hand smoke. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Subhajit Sen, Associate Consultant Pulmonologist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, explains what it is, whether or not it is as harmful as smoking or secondhand smoking, and who is most at risk of exposure.
Also Read: Dental Issues Associated With Smoking: Steps To Take
What Is Thirdhand Smoke?
“Third-hand smoking refers to the exposure to the residual settlement of the nicotine, naphthalene, and other harmful chemicals on indoor surfaces like furniture, skin, carpets, and clothes accumulated over time from the tobacco smoke,” says Dr Sen, adding that while firsthand and secondhand smoking refer to the direct inhalation of the smoke from the cigarettes and those smoking it, respectively, thirdhand smoke is the inhalation of the accumulated smoke and its particles via indoor surfaces.
According to the American Lung Association (ALA), thirdhand smoke residue contains over 250 chemicals, and it can last for weeks, months, and even years.
This means that there are no safe levels of exposure to third-hand smoking, and smoking in front of an open window does not minimise the effects.
Risks Associated With Third-Hand Smoking
A 2016 research article published in the Public Health Reports suggested that thirdhand smoke exposure can harm people of all ages who breathe in air where smoking happens regularly.
This study highlighted the dangers of exposure in children, especially those under six years of age, and shared that they are more likely to have coughing and phlegm problems.
While the long-term effects of third-hand smoke exposure are still being studied, the study suggests that early exposure to nicotine might make people more likely to smoke later in life. There is some evidence that this type of smoke exposure can damage DNA, hinder wound healing, and harm lung development.
Dr Sen says, "Any form of smoking is indeed a cause for concern. In third-hand smoking, the chemicals gradually undergo chemical changes. The buildup of nicotine reacts with other harmful pollutants present in the air, like nitrous acid, ozone, and formaldehyde, to form carcinogens, which are considered cancer-causing compounds."
He also explains the 3Rs of third-hand smoking, which include chemicals in tobacco smoke that:
- Remains on the surface and in dust.
- Re-emits back in the gas phase
- Reacts with other chemicals in the environment to make new chemicals, including carcinogens.
Who Is At Risk Of Exposure?
Some of the people who are most at risk of third-hand smoking include:
Children and infants: They are the most vulnerable, as they tend to mouth on and touch contaminated surfaces. They may develop infections, pneumonia, and respiratory diseases like asthma.
Adults: Adults may also experience the harmful effects and develop cancers in the lungs, mouth, pancreas, kidneys, bladders, etc.
Pregnant women: There are chances that the thirdhand smoke, breathed by the pregnant woman, is transmissible over to the foetus, which may cause the new-born to develop respiratory problems since birth.
Lung Cancer Risk With Thirdhand Smoke
According to Dr Sen, there is a possible risk of lung cancer as the residual accumulation changes its form into gas over time.
“As mentioned earlier, the gradual reaction of nicotine with nitrous acid, ozone, and formaldehyde can form carcinogens, making up the cancer-causing compounds,” he reiterates.
How To Reduce Your Risk?
Preventing or reducing the risk of third-hand smoke exposure means avoiding tobacco smoke in all its forms. Some of the strategies include:
- Avoiding homes and common areas for those who smoke
- Not allowing smoking inside the house and vehicles.
- Motivating the smokers to completely quit smoking.
- Cleaning and washing the exposed surfaces thoroughly.
- Washing all clothing exposed to smoke.
- Washing all bedding and linens.
- Cleaning toys regularly.
Conclusion
Third-hand smoke exposure can be harmful for your health. In fact, it may get worse over time as it accumulates and becomes more difficult to get rid of. Both adults and children remain at risk, and therefore, necessary precautions must be taken to reduce the risk or prevent the effects of exposure.