February 10, 2010
Now There's 'Third-hand Smoke' to
Worry About
Chemical traces from smoking left on clothing and furniture
can react with nitrous acid to form carcinogens.
Now There's 'Third-hand Smoke' to
Worry About
Chemical traces from smoking left on clothing and furniture
can react with nitrous acid to form carcinogens.
SUMMARY: For years, scientists have warned about the dangers of second-
hand smoke, the noxious fumes that come from other people's cigarettes.
Now they are going one-step farther and are also raising the caution flag about
what they call "third-hand smoke." Third-hand smoke refers to the chemical
traces left on the clothes of smokers or in a room where someone had been
smoking.
Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that smoke
remnants can react with a common gas called nitrous acid to create
carcinogenic compounds known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).
Nitrous acid is emitted from various sources including gas appliances and
vehicles.
What the study suggests is that even if a smoker smokes outside, he will bring
inside some left-over nicotine residue that has settled on his hair and clothing.
Smoking in a room will cause the residue to settle and remain on furniture,
carpets, and curtains where TSNAs can form. Study coauthor Hugo Destaillats
says, “It’s this third-hand smoke residue that is the source of the smells
that we all easily perceive in a room or a car where cigarettes have been
smoked."
In their study, scientists examined samples from the glove compartment of a
truck whose driver regularly smoked inside the vehicle. In a lab, they also
studied what happens to a cellulose-containing paper similar to a carpet or
drape when it absorbs nicotine from cigarette smoke. In both cases, the
reaction between nicotine and nitrous acid produced substantial amounts of
three types of toxic compounds called nitrosamines, which are known to
promote tumor growth.
The researchers caution that more research is needed, but they worry that
young infants who crawl around on rugs exposed to smoke could be at risk.
They recommend that smoking not be done in closed spaces like homes and
cars, and rooms that have experienced years of smoking could benefit if the
furniture, carpet, and even the wallboard are replaced.
To read the entire article, click on this link to DISCOVER MAGAZINE.
COMMENT: I apologize if I have offended any smokers with this post. I know
many of you are struggling to overcome the habit, or you may already feel
discriminated against as more and more public places such as restaurants and
government offices are forbidding the practice.
Still, if these researchers are on to something, the news must be reported, for
the sake of smokers and non-smokers alike. Whether it's smoking or
overeating or overindulging in alcohol, the public needs to be aware of the
dangers so that we can all make wise decisions.
The Web site http://www.smokefree.gov/ or another similar site may be able to
provide some helpful advice for smokers who are serious about trying to kick
the habit. And don't forget about the Lord. God, the Father, who has treated
our spiritual shortcomings by sending His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior, is
surely able to help us with any physical concerns. "Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you"
(Matthew 7:7 NIV)
****************************************************************************************************
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your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
****************************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Is it a cold or is it the flu?
****************************************************************************************************
hand smoke, the noxious fumes that come from other people's cigarettes.
Now they are going one-step farther and are also raising the caution flag about
what they call "third-hand smoke." Third-hand smoke refers to the chemical
traces left on the clothes of smokers or in a room where someone had been
smoking.
Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that smoke
remnants can react with a common gas called nitrous acid to create
carcinogenic compounds known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).
Nitrous acid is emitted from various sources including gas appliances and
vehicles.
What the study suggests is that even if a smoker smokes outside, he will bring
inside some left-over nicotine residue that has settled on his hair and clothing.
Smoking in a room will cause the residue to settle and remain on furniture,
carpets, and curtains where TSNAs can form. Study coauthor Hugo Destaillats
says, “It’s this third-hand smoke residue that is the source of the smells
that we all easily perceive in a room or a car where cigarettes have been
smoked."
In their study, scientists examined samples from the glove compartment of a
truck whose driver regularly smoked inside the vehicle. In a lab, they also
studied what happens to a cellulose-containing paper similar to a carpet or
drape when it absorbs nicotine from cigarette smoke. In both cases, the
reaction between nicotine and nitrous acid produced substantial amounts of
three types of toxic compounds called nitrosamines, which are known to
promote tumor growth.
The researchers caution that more research is needed, but they worry that
young infants who crawl around on rugs exposed to smoke could be at risk.
They recommend that smoking not be done in closed spaces like homes and
cars, and rooms that have experienced years of smoking could benefit if the
furniture, carpet, and even the wallboard are replaced.
To read the entire article, click on this link to DISCOVER MAGAZINE.
COMMENT: I apologize if I have offended any smokers with this post. I know
many of you are struggling to overcome the habit, or you may already feel
discriminated against as more and more public places such as restaurants and
government offices are forbidding the practice.
Still, if these researchers are on to something, the news must be reported, for
the sake of smokers and non-smokers alike. Whether it's smoking or
overeating or overindulging in alcohol, the public needs to be aware of the
dangers so that we can all make wise decisions.
The Web site http://www.smokefree.gov/ or another similar site may be able to
provide some helpful advice for smokers who are serious about trying to kick
the habit. And don't forget about the Lord. God, the Father, who has treated
our spiritual shortcomings by sending His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior, is
surely able to help us with any physical concerns. "Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you"
(Matthew 7:7 NIV)
****************************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
****************************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Is it a cold or is it the flu?
****************************************************************************************************
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| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
The most characteristic sign of flu is its
abrupt onset. A cold can build over a few
days, but the flu strikes hard and fast —
fever, chills, severe muscle aches, a
hacking cough, and general malaise. Fever
is a good yardstick, because a cold rarely
raises body temperature more than a degree
or so.
Source: consumerreports.org (1/14/2010)
