We've all
heard about the dangers of second hand smoke, but what about third-hand
smoke?
New evidence supports third-hand smoke may be just as
dangerous, especially to children.
What is third-hand smoke? Third-hand smoke is the
chemical residue created by cigarettes, and it clings to bedding, carpet,
furniture, clothes and your environment. The residue contains the same
cancer-causing chemicals that are in cigarettes. Cigarette and other tobacco
smoke contain more than 4,000 different chemicals including benzene,
formaldehyde, ammonia, acetone, tar, and carbon monoxide.
Children exposed to third-hand smoke are put at greater
risk for chronic ear infections, chronic respiratory infections, and possibly
far more serious problems that are still unknown.
This new look at third-hand smoke proves that the only
way to prevent adults and children from toxic smoke exposure 100% is to quit
smoking, period. These chemicals seep into clothes and hair, which means that
even limiting smoking to outdoors still puts children at risk.
Although the concept of third hand smoke is relatively
new, studies show that third hand residue can become airborne again- a vicious
cycle that is only stopped by quitting smoking.