Smokers who take to a different room of the house or their car in order to protect their children from ingesting second-hand smoke may be alarmed to find that the risk to their little ones still exists.
Why? Because the stale cigarette smell that lingers on furniture, car seats, or their clothes could still be ingested by the youngsters. There's now a name for the smell - it's being referred to as third-hand smoke.
According to new research from the journal Pediatrics, the toxic smoke hangs around long after second-hand smoke has dissipated and can be ingested by tots crawling around on the floor or on furniture.
Dr. Jonathan Winickoff of Harvard Medical School, the study's lead author, says parents may think they're protecting their kids by smoking in a different area, but they're not.
"When you smoke - anyplace - toxic particulate matter from tobacco smoke gets into your hair and clothing," Winickoff advised in a statement. "When you come into contact with your baby, even if you're not smoking at the time, (he or) she comes in contact with those toxins. And if you breastfeed, the toxins will transfer to your baby in your breastmilk."
He adds: "The dangers of third-hand smoke are very real."
But it seems not everyone's convinced of the potential dangers. A survey of 1,500 households in the U.S. found that only 65 percent of non-smokers and 43 percent of smokers agreed that kids exposed to third-hand smoke could face health risks.
Read the study.
Among the toxins found in third-hand smoke:
- hydrogen cyanide
- carbon monoxide
- butane
- ammonia
- toluene (found in paint thinners)
- arsenic
- lead
- chromium (used to make steel)
- cadmium (used to make batteries)
- polonium-210 (highly radioactive carcinogen)
Eleven of the compounds are classified as Group 1 carcinogens, the most dangerous.
To find out how your doctor can help you quit smoking,
click here.
Here are some other resources that may help you kick the habit for good:
Ontario Quit Line
Health Canada's Methods Of Quitting
Quit Smoking With Laser Therapy: Results Revealed
What The Lung Association Of Ontario Says
Can Electronic Cigarettes Beat The Smoking Ban And Are They Better For Your Health?
Quitting Smoking A Big Boon For Women