Health & Medicine
Study: 'Third-Hand Smoke' Can Cause Cancer and DNA Damage
Thomas Carannante
First Posted: Mar 17, 2014 08:20 PM EDT
We already knew smoking cigarettes was detrimental to our health. We also knew that second-hand smoke also causes the same harmful effects of smoking cigarettes. But did we know about third-hand smoke?
According to a study conducted at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, researchers found that "third-hand smoke" is caused from smoking indoors. The leftover cigarette smoke that adheres to walls, furniture, carpet and clothing is believed to cause a much more serious threat than previously thought.
"When you live with someone who smokes, the fact that the smoke stays in the room - that thirdhand smoke is there all the time - means that your exposure doesn't end when they put that cigarette out. You're being exposed constantly," said Suzaynn Schick, an expert on the effects of tobacco at the University of California, in this Fox News article.
The study was presented today at the 247th Annual Meeting of the American Chemical Society. The researchers found that the 4,000-plus chemicals in second-hand smoke remains indoors long after a cigarette is put out, and these substances can react with indoor pollutants to create other harmful compounds. These compounds include NNA and NNK, which affect DNA and can lead to harmful cell growth and malignant tumors.
But although these are the most harmful effects, they are not limited to others caused by third-hand smoke. Scientists conducted experiments with mice in contaminated cages with the residue from cigarette chemicals. They found that behavioral changes and hyperactivity are also associated with third-hand smoke.
The researchers believes babies are at the biggest risk for being affected by the nitrosamines (the chemicals that stick to household items) because they are constantly touching various objects such as toys and putting things in their mouths. The study also found evidence that the toxins can be absorbed through the skin, making it dangerous for almost anybody.
To read more about the study presented at the American Chemical Society Meeting, visit this Fox News article.
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First Posted: Mar 17, 2014 08:20 PM EDT
We already knew smoking cigarettes was detrimental to our health. We also knew that second-hand smoke also causes the same harmful effects of smoking cigarettes. But did we know about third-hand smoke?
According to a study conducted at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, researchers found that "third-hand smoke" is caused from smoking indoors. The leftover cigarette smoke that adheres to walls, furniture, carpet and clothing is believed to cause a much more serious threat than previously thought.
"When you live with someone who smokes, the fact that the smoke stays in the room - that thirdhand smoke is there all the time - means that your exposure doesn't end when they put that cigarette out. You're being exposed constantly," said Suzaynn Schick, an expert on the effects of tobacco at the University of California, in this Fox News article.
The study was presented today at the 247th Annual Meeting of the American Chemical Society. The researchers found that the 4,000-plus chemicals in second-hand smoke remains indoors long after a cigarette is put out, and these substances can react with indoor pollutants to create other harmful compounds. These compounds include NNA and NNK, which affect DNA and can lead to harmful cell growth and malignant tumors.
But although these are the most harmful effects, they are not limited to others caused by third-hand smoke. Scientists conducted experiments with mice in contaminated cages with the residue from cigarette chemicals. They found that behavioral changes and hyperactivity are also associated with third-hand smoke.
The researchers believes babies are at the biggest risk for being affected by the nitrosamines (the chemicals that stick to household items) because they are constantly touching various objects such as toys and putting things in their mouths. The study also found evidence that the toxins can be absorbed through the skin, making it dangerous for almost anybody.
To read more about the study presented at the American Chemical Society Meeting, visit this Fox News article.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone