Beyond passive smoking: ‘third-hand’ smoking
The harmful effects of direct, active or conventional smoking have been known and undisputed by everyone for decades. In recent years, electronic cigarette smoking or vaping has been added with more destructive, short-term and long-term consequences, to the extent that pulmonary damage caused even within a few months has been recognized as a special nosological entity.
It was quickly discovered that passive or “second-hand” smoking has the same destructive effects not only in closed but also in open spaces when active smokers and passive recipients coexist. A special form of passive smoking is symbiotic or “third-hand” smoking, which corresponds to the pollution of the surrounding space and objects, surfaces, upholstery, clothing, etc. contained therein.
It has been proven that chemicals (e.g. nicotine) and other carcinogenic toxins (e.g. formaldehyde, naphthalene, etc.) impregnate soft or smooth surfaces or settle in the form of particles and remain for months even if smoking has stopped in the room. “Thirdhand” smoke cannot be removed even by ventilating the room with open windows or by using air conditioning or fans or even when smoking is limited to a specific area or room. Ordinary daily cleaning cannot remove the chemicals and particles, especially from carpets and clothes. It is also a common observation that a person who has been in a smoking area smells bad.
Third-hand smoking is particularly harmful to children, especially younger children, who spend more time indoors, play on carpets, or even put food on already contaminated surfaces, floors, and carpets. The only way to avoid the effects of second-hand smoking is to avoid it indoors, including family and public transportation.
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