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What is thirdhand smoke?
An explanatory visual describing first-, second-, and thirdhand smoke. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
Smoking a cigarette generates two kinds of tobacco smoke: mainstream smoke that is inhaled by the smoker and sidestream smoke from the smoldering cigarette. Secondhand smoke is a combination of the sidestream smoke and the mainstream smoke exhaled by smokers. Thirdhand smoke refers to the secondhand smoke gases and particles that stick to and become embedded in materials and objects, like carpet, walls, furniture, blankets, and toys.
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How can I be exposed to thirdhand smoke?
An explanatory visual showing three ways thirdhand smoke can enter our bodies. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
People can be exposed to thirdhand smoke by touching contaminated surfaces (absorption through the skin), by eating contaminated objects or dust, and by breathing in air and re-suspended thirdhand smoke components.
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What tobacco products contribute to thirdhand smoke?
An explanatory visual listing the different tobacco and marijuana products that can produce thirdhand smoke. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
Tobacco products come in many different forms and shapes, including cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, little cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, water pipes called hookah or shisha, dissolvable products, and smokeless tobacco products such as chew, spit and snuff. All tobacco products can leave behind chemical residue. Burning marijuana produces smoke that consists of a mixture of chemicals that leaves behind thirdhand smoke residue similar to that generated from burning tobacco products.
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Why is thirdhand smoke harmful?
An explanatory visual listing the different ways thirdhand smoke exposure can present possible health risks. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
Thirdhand smoke is not strictly smoke, but chemicals that adhere to objects from which they can release back into the air or accumulate in house dust. Some chemicals in thirdhand smoke are not released by the cigarette, but result from chemical transformation of tobacco smoke components that happen in the environment. Many of these chemicals are known to harm human health.
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Download the whole set as a pdf file here.
How can infants be exposed to thirdhand smoke chemicals?
An explanatory visual showing how thirdhand smoke chemicals make their way from people and objects into babies. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
The microbiomes of babies and young children are still developing, meaning they are particularly susceptible to long-term changes associated with thirdhand smoke exposure. Protect your children from thirdhand smoke by educating yourself and those around you about how children may be exposed. You can read more about the children’s microbiomes and thirdhand smoke exposure in this recent study.
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How does tobacco smoke affect our microbiome?
An explanatory visual showing how thirdhand smoke chemicals disrupt bacteria in our microbiome. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
Humans are home to a large number of tiny, invisible organisms, including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses—aka the human microbiome. Studies have found that the chemicals in first-, second-, and thirdhand smoke affects the bacteria living in and on us. You can read more about the microbiome and thirdhand smoke exposure in this recent study.
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How cotinine works as a biomarker:
An explanatory visual showing how cotinine can be used as a biomarker of tobacco exposure levels. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
Cotinine is a biomarker, or a measurable indicator, of recent tobacco exposure. It forms from nicotine that enters the body as first-, second-, or thirdhand tobacco smoke and can be measured in blood or saliva. The higher the levels of cotinine, the higher the levels of exposure to nicotine in the past few days. You can read more about cotinine and thirdhand smoke exposure in this recent study.
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How does thirdhand smoke affect the liver?
Images highlighting the effect of thirdhand smoke exposure on liver fat. Suggested text to include alongside the infographic:
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening liver disease that is affecting a growing number of people. It is the build up of extra fat in the liver unrelated to alcohol and affects 10-20% of Americans. Smoking, and exposure to secondhand smoke, are known to increase the risk of this disease. Linking thirdhand smoke exposure and early signs of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease may help further inform early treatment and prevention. You can read more about liver disease and thirdhand smoke exposure in this recent study.
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Survey of California residents’ opinions on thirdhand smoke disclosure in homes:
A one-page infographic summarizing survey results by region as well as a few other demographics.
Multiunit housing fact sheet:
A fact sheet for policymakers to learn about why and how to protect their constituents living in multiunit housing from thirdhand smoke using prevention and disclosure.
