In a 1991 study, researchers found nicotine in the dust of smokers’ homes. Louis found that tobacco smoke condensate-or liquid from gas condensation-painted on mice caused cancer. It was first discovered in 1953, when a scientist from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Most of the time, replacing carpets or repainting walls are the only options.Īlthough it’s a relatively new term, thirdhand smoke has been a research topic for decades. “It’s actually a phenomenon that accumulates over time with increased exposure.” Normal cleaning methods also aren’t effective against the pollutants. “Thirdhand smoke is not a one-time thing,” Dr. The gas is then continuously re-emitted back into the air in a process called “off-gassing.”Įfforts to diffuse the smoke, like opening windows or using a fan, don’t prevent thirdhand smoke from forming or keep it from being inhaled, and the residue may give off harmful chemicals for years or even decades.

Nicotine reacts with indoor air pollutants like nitrous acid to form carcinogens, or compounds that may cause cancer. The chemicals then undergo an aging process, which changes their chemical structure. Thirdhand smoke forms when particles from a cigarette or other tobacco-burning device seep into materials like hair, clothes, furniture, carpet and walls, and are absorbed. Rabih Bechara, MD, FCCP - Chief of Interventional Pulmonology, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at our hospital in Atlanta What's tricky about thirdhand smoke is that you can't really quantify the risk.' But they don't hear much, if anything, about the dangers of thirdhand smoke. They hear about the dangers of secondhand smoke. 'People hear about the dangers of smoking.

No smoking here tricky test 2