Scottsdale Health October 2019

doctor’s orders
/ by Ashish Sangal, MD
Dr. Ashish Sangal is the
Medical Director of the
Lung Center, Medical
Director of Medical
Oncology and Medical
Oncologist at Cancer
Treatment Centers of
America, Phoenix.
Thirdhand
Smoke
What it is and who’s at risk
Firsthand smoke is widely known as a way smokers
may put themselves at risk for illnesses like heart disease,
stroke and lung cancer by inhaling nicotine and
other toxic chemicals in cigarettes. Secondhand smoke
is commonly known as putting those around smokers
in danger of also inhaling those same chemicals.
What may not be so common knowledge is thirdhand
smoke.
Doctors know thirdhand smoke may be a new
term to the general public, but researchers have been
studying it for decades. So, what is it – and how can it
be harmful?
How it forms
Thirdhand smoke
forms when smoke
particles from cigarettes
mix with gases
in the air, absorbing
into materials like
clothes, furniture
and walls. Once
absorbed, the chemicals
go through an
aging process, which
changes their overall
chemical structure.
The nicotine found
in cigarette smoke
reacts with indoor air
pollutants like nitrous
acid to form carcinogens.
That gas
is then continuously
released into the air.
This process can
continue for years
beyond the initial
smoker’s cigarette
being extinguished.
Efforts like smoking
with car windows
open, smoking outside
or using a fan to
disperse the smoke
won’t prevent thirdhand
smoke from
forming.
What materials
absorb it?
A wide variety of
materials can retain
the chemicals, such
as carpets, rugs,
clothes, walls, furniture,
walls, car
dashboards -- or even
your kids’ toys, blankets
and bedding.
Who is at risk?
Everyone surrounded
by materials
once impacted by
cigarette smoke is at
risk. However, kids
are typically put at
greater risk of being
affected by thirdhand
smoke. Why? They
crawl, play, lick and
are generally much
closer to the materials
in homes and
cars.
What you can do
about it
Unfortunately, basic
cleaning isn’t effective.
Typically, replacing
carpet, repainting
walls, or reupholstering
used items may
be the only options.
The most important
thing to remember
is that because
the data for thirdhand
smoke’s harmful
effects are still being
studied, we must
remain vigilant in protecting
ourselves and
those we love.
The best way
to do that: Don’t
smoke, and if you
have a family member
or friend who
does, help them quit
today.
50 ScottsdaleHealth 10/19