How Can We Test For Tobacco Exposure In Children’s Environments?

October 3, 2022
By Avery Crosley

A recent study by Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center Consortium member Melinda Mahabee-Gittens and colleagues investigated if hand nicotine levels can be used as an indicator of second- and thirdhand smoke exposure in children’s environments. They collected hand wipe samples from children who lived with one or more smoker and compared their hand nicotine levels to tobacco-specific urinary biomarkers collected from the children. The researchers conclude that hand nicotine is a particularly useful measure to demonstrate children’s exposure to tobacco pollution in their environments. See graphical abstract depicted below to understand how children’s hands pick up tobacco smoke pollution and are exposed to its toxic components. The study was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Click here to read the research study.

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