This series features the Consortium’s newly funded projects, which engage in groundbreaking research about the nature and health consequences of thirdhand smoke. Thirdhand smoke is the chemical residue that is left behind on clothes, skin, furniture, walls, and other surfaces after someone smokes. This research is supported by the Consortium’s four core facilities. In this installment, we feature the core facilities of Dr. Peyton Jacob III from the University of California San Francisco and Dr. Eunha Hoh from San Diego State University.
New Consortium Core
Analytical Chemistry Core: Thirdhand Smoke Biomarkers
Dr. Peyton Jacob III
University of California San Francisco
This core facility, led by Dr. Peyton Jacob III from the University of California, San Francisco, will provide analytical chemistry support for Consortium research projects. Their focus is on measuring a variety of biomarkers of exposure to thirdhand smoke in urine, saliva, and hair. Biomarkers include cotinine, NNAL, NNK, tobacco alkaloids, and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. These biomarkers are unique to tobacco exposure and allow researchers to estimate the extent to which humans and mice were exposed.
When asked how his core would contribute to a TRDRP research priority, Dr. Jacob said, the Thirdhand Smoke Biomarkers Analytical Chemistry Laboratory contributes by supporting high-impact research that advances policies to reduce environmental tobacco smoke and its residue.
Read full Core description here.
New Consortium Core
Thirdhand Smoke Analytical Chemistry Core for Environmental Markers
Dr. Eunha Hoh
San Diego State University
This core facility, led by Dr. Eunha Hoh of San Diego State University, will provide analytical chemistry support for the analysis of environmental samples collected in multiple Consortium research projects. This includes measuring markers of thirdhand smoke pollution such as nicotine, cotinine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These compounds are routinely found in environmental samples collected from surfaces, dust, air, fabrics, and other materials of homes and cars where tobacco has been previously smoked. In addition, this core facility is equipped to conduct nontargeted analyses to identify novel markers of thirdhand smoke.
When asked how her core would contribute to the Tobacco Endgame, Dr. Hoh said that understanding the chemical mixture in thirdhand smoke and measuring specific components of the mixture is critical to designing effective prevention and mitigation strategies to remove thirdhand smoke pollutants from environments.
Read full Core description here.
