from Clinical Science
Fewer Americans are smoking cigarettes,
but the residue that remains—referred to
as third-hand smoke—continues as a
risk. Researchers at the federal
government’s Berkeley National
Laboratory found the toxic residues
linger on indoor surfaces and in dust
nearly ten years after smoking. Their
latest study shows third-hand smoke
increases the risk of lung cancer in
laboratory animals. Previous studies
show traditional cleaning methods are
not effective in removing the toxic
tobacco residues. Those residues are
especially dangerous to human toddlers
who are likely to come into contact with
contaminated surfaces and dust. The
study appears in the journal Clinical
Science.