What is Third Hand Smoke

Posted on March 12th, 2009 by monsterguide

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Smoking is a hard habit to break, even though there are many health hazards and complications associated with it. Almost everyone knows about lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and other illnesses caused by firsthand and secondhand smoke. To add to all those things to worry about, third-hand smoke is now thrown into the mix as a very real danger to smokers and people who live with them. If you’re worried about the dangers of smoking and want to stop for good, then you should add third-hand smoke to your long list of reasons to stop smoking.

What is Third-Hand Smoke?

“Third-hand smoke” is a relatively new term in the health sciences, and was coined in early 2009 by researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, led by Dr. Jonathan P. Winickoff of Harvard University. Cigarette smoke can now be classified into three categories:

Firsthand smoke is the smoke inhaled directly by a smoker. The dangers of firsthand smoke are well-documented in many scientific studies. Firsthand smoke is a leading cause of many smoking-related deaths and illnesses, including emphysema, lung cancer, brain damage, and mental illnesses that result from a nicotine dependency.
Secondhand smoke is the smoke inhaled indirectly by people around someone who’s smoking a cigarette. Secondhand smoke is presumed to be more dangerous than firsthand smoke because of the chemical changes that take place when a smoker exhales cigarette smoke.
Third-hand smoke is a term coined to describe the invisible chemicals and toxins that linger in rooms, clothing, or on the body after smoking. Third-hand smoke is very toxic because the smoke undergoes chemical changes when it is exposed to oxygen.

Further scientific studies have yet to be done on third-hand smoke, although many doctors now warn against it. Third-hand smoke is particularly dangerous for infants and toddlers, because their respiratory systems are not yet fully developed. For asthmatics and other people with sensitive respiratory systems, third-hand smoke can cause asphyxiation and other serious breathing problems.

Third-Hand Smoke and Lung Damage

Studies have yet to confirm diseases exclusive to third-hand smoke. Like all smoke, however, third-hand smoke can cause serious problems in the respiratory tract. Below is a list of the different ways how smoke damages the lung:

Allergic reactions. Cigarette odors irritate the mucous membrane; in smoking areas, some people may find themselves sneezing, itching or having watery eyes because of the tobacco odors that linger there over time.
Cancer. Lung cancer is a disease associated with smoking, and is caused by heavy metals and carcinogenic substances found in cigarette smoke. Cancer-causing substances are also found in third-hand smoke, and may increase the risk of cancer in children and non-smokers.
Emphysema. Difficulty breathing is a common problem for smokers. Emphysema, a disease characterized by the stiffening and hardening of lung tissue, can also be caused by third-hand smoke. Long-term exposure to cigarette smoke may lead to emphysema, although the disease is often found among active smokers.

Third-Hand Smoke and Brain Damage

One of the most dangerous components of third-hand smoke is lead. Lead is a heavy metal that remains in third-hand smoke and settles on furniture and clothes. Lead has been shown to cause direct damage to brain cells and interfere with normal brain functions. Third-hand smoke can cause the signs and symptoms of permanent, irreversible brain damage. Here’s how smoke damages the brain:

Developmental problems. Infants and children exposed to third-hand smoke may end up with impaired learning abilities. Over time, lead and other heavy metals may contribute to slurred speech or distorted comprehension.
Headaches and migraine. If you ever entered a smoker’s room or an enclosed smoking area before, you may have felt the sudden rush of a headache or a migraine. The pain is caused by the inhalation of secondhand smoke as well as third-hand smoke.
Death of brain cells. Heavy metals like lead and cadmium (the same stuff that makes batteries) are found in small concentrations on a single cigarette, and both have been shown to have long-term effects on brain cell growth and regeneration. The loss in brain cells may cause impaired physical and mental functions in the long run.

Third-hand smoke is just one of the many reasons why you should stop smoking (Learn how to quit smoking), and if you haven’t heard about it yet, you better put it on your list. By quitting smoking, you minimize and even eliminate the long-term health problems that are caused by firsthand, secondhand, or third-hand smoke.