Third-hand
smoke causes hyperactivity and significant damage in
liver, lung; delays healing of wounds
Do
not smoke and do not allow yourself to be exposed to smoke
because second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke are just as
deadly as first-hand smoke.
While first-hand smoke refers to the smoke inhaled by a
smoker and second-hand smoke to the exhaled smoke
and other substances emanating from the burning cigarette
that can get inhaled by others, third-hand smoke
is the second-hand smoke that gets left on the surfaces of
objects, ages over time and becomes progressively more
toxic.
Third-hand smoke is a potential health threat to children,
spouses of smokers and workers in environments where smoking
is, or has been, allowed. Contamination of the homes of
smokers by third-hand smoke is high, both on surfaces and in
dust, including children's bedrooms. Re-emission of nicotine
from contaminated indoor surfaces in these households can
lead to nicotine exposure levels similar to that of smoking.
Third-hand smoke, which contains strong carcinogens,
has been found to persist in houses, apartments and hotel
rooms after smokers move out.
"More recently we have found that exposure to third-hand
smoke results in changes that can lead to type II
diabetes even when the person is not obese,"
Martins-Green said. "There is still much to learn about the
specific mechanisms by which cigarette smoke residues harm
nonsmokers, but that there is such an effect is now clear.
Children in environments where smoking is, or has been
allowed, are at significant risk for suffering from multiple
short-term and longer health problems, many of which may not
manifest fully until later in life."
The first complete ban in the world on indoor smoking in all
public spaces - including bars and restaurants - occurred in
1990 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Earlier this month, UC
Riverside joined the rest of the University of California
campuses and facilities by going smoke- and
tobacco-free. No tobacco use of any kind is allowed on
campus property, a policy that extends to electronic
cigarettes also. University
of California, Riverside. PLOS ONE. 012014
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