Environmental Health Topics: Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Secondhand smoke can increase the likelihood of developing respiratory problems. Pregnant women should not be exposed to tobacco smoke as it can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and lower the child’s birth weight.

• What is "second-hand" smoke?: A U.S. DHHS Office of the Surgeon General Fact Sheet

• Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ppt): A presentation on exposure to environmental tobacco smoke by Cara Krulewitch, CNM, PhD.
• CDC-TV Health Begins at Home: A short video about the effects of environmental tobacco smoke exposure and other hazards in the home.

Third-hand smoke can harm individuals when remnants of tobacco smoke that cling to upholstery, clothing and the skin, react with a common gas (nitrous acid) to create carcinogenic compounds known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).  Toxic particles from cigarettes linger on surfaces and can follow smokers indoors long after cigarettes are put out.

• What is "third-hand" smoke?: A physician answers at MayoClinic.com

• Reactions of nicotine and nitrous acid can lead to thirdhand smoke hazards (pdf): An article published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
• Thirdhand smoke and home smoking bans (pdf): An article published by the journal, Pediatrics