"Thirdhand Smoke" Leaves Permanent Health Traces

Thirdhand smoke (also called THS), a residue of gases and particulates found on cigarette smokers’ skin, hair, and clothing as well as on cushions, carpeting, and other surfaces, remains long after secondhand smoke (SHS) has cleared from a room. According to Suzaynn Schick, Ph.D., of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California–San Francisco, typical ventilation removes only about half of the particulate matter released by smoking; the remaining nicotine and other components accumulate on surfaces and are re-emitted over time. Mohamad Sleiman, Ph.D., of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) defines thirdhand smoke with “three Rs”: pollutants that

remain on surfaces and in dust, are