Table of Contents
- 1 What is the difference between second hand smoke and third-hand smoke?
- 2 Is third-hand cigarette smoke dangerous?
- 3 What is thirdhand smoke and why is it a concern?
- 4 How can you protect yourself from third hand smoke?
- 5 How do I get rid of third hand smoke in my house?
- 6 How do you fix third hand smoke?
What is the difference between second hand smoke and third-hand smoke?
Secondhand smoke and vaping aerosols come from burning or heating tobacco through a cigarette, cigar, pipe, hookah, or electronic cigarette. They also come from the air a smoker exhales while smoking. Third-hand smoke is the smoke that stays in carpets, walls, furniture, clothing, hair, toys, etc.
Is third-hand cigarette smoke dangerous?
Thirdhand smoke may damage DNA One study found that being exposed to thirdhand smoke may cause damage and breaks in human DNA. Researchers tested human cells in a laboratory rather than actual humans. But Dr. Choi says, “DNA damage is a real risk and can increase your chances of disease.”
Does third-hand smoke go away?
While the harms of secondhand smoke exposure are reduced once the smoke clears, thirdhand smoke lingers long after the secondhand smoke has dissipated – even years. Because thirdhand smoke does not simply go away once combustion has ended, nonsmokers’ exposure to hazardous particles can occur long into the future.
What is thirdhand smoke and why is it a concern?
Thirdhand smoke is the nicotine and other chemicals from cigarettes that remain on surfaces well after someone has smoked. These residues can then be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, potentially increasing the risk of certain cancers and other serious diseases.
How can you protect yourself from third hand smoke?
How can you prevent the health effects of thirdhand smoke?
- Wash all your clothing.
- Wash all bedding and linens.
- Thoroughly mop all hard surfaces.
- Scrub down counters, walls, and ceilings.
- Get your carpet and rugs professionally cleaned.
- Clean all toys.
- Wash all other fabrics around your home, including furniture.
Is it bad to smoke old cigarettes?
However, just because cigarettes don’t contain an expiration date on their packaging doesn’t mean they’ll never go bad. While smoking expired cigarettes isn’t really any worse for you than smoking new ones, time and oxygen exposure can negatively impact the flavor and freshness of your cigarettes.
How do I get rid of third hand smoke in my house?
Frequent and thorough household cleaning can reduce thirdhand smoke residue that has accumulated on surfaces and in dust. This requires frequent vacuuming with HEPA filter and regular wiping/washing/scrubbing of surfaces with acidic (e.g., white household vinegar) and alkaline (e.g., Simple Green) cleaning solutions.