When you think about substances in thirdhand chemical residue, you probably think of nicotine. But have you ever heard of tobacco-specific nitrosamines? Called TSNAs for short, these toxic, cancer-causing compounds form as tobacco leaves grow and are processed as well as when nicotine in thirdhand chemical residue on surfaces oxidizes. Many TSNAs are included on the United States Food and Drug Administration list of harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. A recent study led by Dr. Si-Qi Wang at Jinan University explored TSNAs in the thirdhand residue from vapes and cigarettes.

TSNA’s from Vape Aerosols

In his study, Dr. Wang released vape aerosols into a room then measured the amount of different TSNAs in the room over the next 36 hours. Notably, some TSNAs quickly formed in the room during and right after vaping occurred. This suggests that thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols starts forming as soon as vaping begins. Over the 36 hours of measuring in this experiment, the amount of all TSNAs grew. This means that the thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols became more toxic over time.

TSNA’s from Cigarette Smoke

Dr. Wang performed the same experiment with smoke from cigarettes. He found even more TSNAs formed in the thirdhand smoke than in the thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols, meaning the level of toxic pollutants in the room was even higher. 

How are People Exposed to TSNA’s?

Next, Dr. Wang studied ways people are exposed to TSNAs and the health risks of exposure. He found people could inhale TSNA particles, and the smaller the particles, the deeper they got into people’s lungs. People could absorb TSNAs through their skin if they touched polluted objects or swallow TSNAs if they put polluted objects in their mouths. People could even absorb TSNAs that were in the air through their skin. 

Who is Most at Risk of Exposure to TSNA’s?

Dr. Wang found that children are the most susceptible to all these types of TSNA exposure because of their small, developing bodies and how often they play on the ground and other polluted surfaces. This susceptibility means children have a higher risk of diseases from TSNAs exposure through thirdhand smoke. 

Dr. Wang also found that all age groups who do not smoke but are exposed to TSNAs have a higher risk of cancer than people not exposed to TSNAs.

Why are these Findings Important?

Dr. Wang’s study highlights how vaping nicotine creates TSNAs and that thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols creates more TSNAs. In addition, the study found that TSNAs make thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols more toxic over time, have multiple routes of exposure, and increase people’s risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Click here to read the research study.