Interesting article I came across today about third hand smoke and I feel more research needs to be done, given that it's been proven certain plastic containers and bottles can leave deposits on the food stuffs they contain if reused.
Smoking causes 50 certain diseases cigarettes are a well-known cause of lung cancer, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and other disorders such as skin cancer, mouth cancer, stroke and high blood pressure. It is the myriad of toxins in cigarette smoke, rather than the nicotine content, that is responsible for the majority of the harmful effects. In other words, it is the delivery system, not the addictive drug, which is responsible for the vast majority of tobacco-related diseases. And it is not the nicotine in cigarettes, but the tar that causes the unsightly yellow-brown stains on fingers and teeth. There are more than 4,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke, many of which are known to cause cancer. In particular it is the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines that are the probable causative agents for lung and other cancers.
It is the adverse nicotine effect in tobacco products that leads to addiction and this which sustains tobacco use. Because most smokers are nicotine-dependent, they continue to expose themselves to toxins from cigarettes. It is the other chemicals in cigarettes, not nicotine, which are responsible for most of the adverse health effects related to smoking. Nicotine is an addictive drug. When smoked, it is delivered into the lungs and is rapidly absorbed by the blood, reaching the brain within approximately ten seconds. At this point, smokers experience a nicotine "hit" - causing the brain to produce Dopamines, a neurotransmitter that regulates emotion and feelings of pleasure. The brain soon comes to expect regular doses of nicotine and suffers nicotine withdrawal symptoms when the supply is interrupted. The addictive nature of nicotine is largely due to its dose and rapid delivery to the brain when smoking cigarettes.
Women who carry on smoking in pregnancy endanger not only themselves, but their babies too. Mothers who smoke around their children also put their kids' health at risk. Even before conceiving research shows that cigarette smoking is harmful to a woman's ovaries. It can cause a woman's eggs to be more prone to genetic abnormality and increase the risk of spontaneous miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Women who smoke take longer to conceive with the chances of conceiving falling by up to 40 per cent per menstrual cycle. The more cigarettes you smoke the longer it takes to become pregnant. Just one cigarette a day can have a significant impact. In men stopping smoking can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction and may improve sexual potency.
- See more at: http://www.astridestella.info/p/stress-and-health.html#sthash.xvWrHTGo.dpuf
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ARTICLE BELOW FROM THE DAILY MAIL
Pioneering study claims THIRD-HAND smoke causes significant damage to our DNA - and its danger increases over time
Research claims - for the first time ever - that third-hand smoke causes significant damage to human cells
Third-hand smoke is the toxic residue that clings to surfaces after second-hand smoke has disappeared
The study also found that this residue becomes MORE harmful over time
New research has claimed for the first time ever that third-hand smoke from cigarettes causes significant genetic damage to human cells.
Third-hand smoke is 'noxious residue' produced by cigarette smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces after second-hand smoke has disappeared.
The study from the Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California also found that this toxic residue becomes more harmful over time.
After you've finished smoking, toxic residue is left behind on surfaces, furniture and fabrics - and can cling to them even after washing. Researchers from California have now discovered that this third-hand smoke causes significant damage to DNA cells and becomes more harmful over time
WHAT IS THIRD-HAND SMOKE?
Third-hand smoke is created by tobacco smoke that lingers after a cigarette has been put out.
It's called 'third-hand' because it is created once second-hand smoke has disappeared.
Third-hand smoke can stick to almost all surfaces but especially clings to fabrics.
People can be exposed to third-hand smoke particles through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact.
Third-hand smoke is thought to be particularly dangerous to young children because they are more likely to crawl on the floor and eat from their hands without washing them first - ingesting the toxins into their systems.
Co-author Lara Gundel said: 'This is the very first study to find that third-hand smoke is mutagenic.
'Some of the chemical compounds in third-hand smoke are among the most potent carcinogens there are.
'They stay on surfaces and when those surfaces are clothing or carpets, the danger to children is especially serious.'
The researchers used a variety of tests to establish if third-hand smoke breaks down DNA strands and leads to long-lasting DNA damage and gene mutation.
'Until this study, the toxicity of third-hand smoke has not been well understood,' continued Gundel.
'Third-hand smoke has a smaller quantity of chemicals than second-hand smoke, so it’s good to have experimental evidence to confirm its genotoxicity.'
People can be exposed to third-hand smoke through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact.
Researchers said third-hand smoke is particularly insidious because it is extremely difficult to get rid of.
Previous studies have found that it can still be detected in dust and surfaces of homes more than two months after smokers moved out.
To generate the samples researchers at the Berkeley Lab put paper strips in smoking chambers, pictured. The acute samples were exposed to five cigarettes smoked in about 20 minutes. The chronic samples were exposed to cigarette smoke for 258 hours over 196 days
Common cleaning methods such as vacuuming, wiping and ventilation have not proven to be effective in lowering the presence of these particles.
The report added: 'You can do some things to reduce the odours, but it’s very difficult to really clean it completely.
'The best solution is to substitute materials, such as change the carpet and repaint.'
To generate the samples, the researchers put paper strips in smoking chambers.
The acute samples were exposed to five cigarettes smoked in about 20 minutes.
The chronic samples were exposed to cigarette smoke for 258 hours over 196 days.
During that time, the chamber was also ventilated for about 35 hours.
The researchers found that the concentrations of more than half of the compounds studied were higher in the chronic samples than in the acute.
Previous studies have found that third-hand smoke can still be detected in dust and surfaces of sofas, clothes and curtains more than two months after a smoker has stopped smoking. The study from California claims children are particularly at risk of DNA damage from third-hand smoke because they crawl over these surfaces and eat with their hands
They also found higher levels of DNA damage caused by the chronic samples.
The study said there was a 0.4 per cent conversion in human cells within the first hour of exposure and this increased ten-fold over a three-hour period.
Lead author Mohamad Sleiman said: 'Given the rapid sorption and persistence of high levels of nicotine on indoor surfaces, including clothing and human skin, our findings indicate that third-hand smoke represents an unappreciated health hazard through dermal exposure, dust inhalation and ingestion.'
The researchers conclude in their paper: 'Ultimately, knowledge of the mechanisms by which third-hand smoke exposure increases the chance of disease development in exposed individuals should lead to new strategies for prevention.'
The findings are published in the science Journal Mutagenesis.
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