New Study Warns Thirdhand Smoke Could Cause Massive Health Damage

New study unveils the health hazards of Thirdhand smoking -residues and deposits of cigarette smoke that stick to indoor surfaces.

A research conducted by the University of California, Riverside, shows accumulation of cigarette deposits on surfaces progressively become toxic and are a threat to the health of children and people exposed to the environment. The study used an animal model that mimics human exposure to Thirdhand smoking (THS) to investigate its effects on liver, lung, skin healing and behavior.

The mice exposed to THS experienced damaging alterations in multiple organs including inflammation of lungs, increased lipid levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. The mice also exhibited hyperactivity and poor healing of wounds. These finding were similar to the symptoms reported in children and people exposed to second-hand smoking, SHS.

Manuela Martins-Green, study researcher and professor at University of California said in a statement, "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."

Greens in a press statement, mentioned the possibility of severe neurological disorders, which may occur due to the prolonged exposure of toxic tobacco residues and living in a smoke-filled environment.  

The homes of smokers are contaminated by cigarette residues and nicotine re-emissions that over time release toxins that cause cancer, pose acute damages to respiratory and cardio vascular health. Nearly 88 million nonsmokers in the U.S live in homes where they are exposed to SHS and THS. With more than 1.5 billion worldwide smokers, an additional billion non smokers are exposed to SHS and THS. Children particularly constitute the vulnerable population.

The first ban on smoking indoor and in all public places occurred in 1990 in San Luis Obispo, Calif.  The University of California, Riverside joined to make its premises smoke and tobacco free.

The research was funded by a grant to Martins-Green from the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program and is published in Journal PLOS ONE.