Potentially Harmful Thirdhand Smoke Lingers Long After Smoke Clears

Potentially Harmful Thirdhand Smoke Lingers Long After Smoke Clears
BERKELEY, Calif.—Thirdhand smoke continues to have harmful health impacts for many hours after a cigarette has been extinguished, according to newly published research. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory assessed the health effects of thirdhand smoke constituents present in indoor air. The researchers looked at levels of more than 50 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and airborne particles for 18 hours after smoking had taken place. They found that up to 60% of the potential harmful effects of thirdhand smoke remain even two hours after smoking has stopped. Thirdhand smoke is formed by reaction of nicotine with indoor nitrous acid and ozone to form potentially harmful ultrafine particles. The study, “Inhalable Constituents of Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke: Chemical Characterization and Health Impact Considerations,” is published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.