Study: Exposure to Thirdhand Smoke Carries ‘Significant’ Health Risks

Thirdhand smoke, or secondhand smoke that settles on objects like furniture or clothing, can pose "significant" health risks, including increased risk of several health problems, according to a study by researchers at UC-Riverside, CBS Atlanta reports (Fearnow, CBS Atlanta, 2/3).

The study, which was published in PLOS ONE, also involved scientists from:

• San Diego State University; and
• UC-San Francisco (Brown, San Francisco Business Times, 2/3).

Details of Study

For the study, researchers exposed mice to materials that have been infiltrated by thirdhand smoke. The exposure lasted for six hours a day, five days a week for nearly six months.

Researchers then examined the smoke's effect in several of the mice's organs (Clark, Wired UK, 2/3).

Findings

The study found that mice that had been exposed to thirdhand smoke exhibited increased:

• Collagen production;
• Inflammatory levels of cytokine in the lungs, which is related to asthma, fibrosis and pulmonary disease;
• Hyperactivity;
• Heightened lipid levels;
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can cause cancer, cardiovascular disease and cirrhosis (Ellis, Medical News Today, 1/31); and
• Risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

In addition, the mice experienced wounds healing at a slower pace and excreted levels of a tobacco-specific carcinogen often found in children exposed to secondhand smoke (CBS Atlanta, 2/3).

Reaction

Lead study author Manuela Martins-Green said that while there is "still much to learn about the specific mechanisms by which cigarette smoke residues harm nonsmokers," it is clear that "[c]hildren 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."

Martins-Green recommended additional animal trials and encouraged the government to enact more policies that could lead to reduced levels of exposure and prevalence of disease (Wired UK, 2/3).