Harmful Effects of Cigarette Odor in Houses

Identification

• Thirdhand smoke occurs when nicotine, heavy metals and other chemicals linger on surfaces in your house. These surfaces can range from furniture, walls, drapes and even your skin, hair and clothing. They react with other common indoor pollutants and form a toxic mixture. Especially harmful to children, this new reaction can be carcinogenic. As of 2011, researchers do not fully understand the extent of the danger of thirdhand smoke as the concept is still fairly new.

Airing Out

• Even if you air out your room and the secondhand smoke has long dissipated, thirdhand continues to linger. The more you smoke, the greater the levels of thirdhand smoke build up over time. It is also nearly impossible to get rid of. Despite efforts to air out your room, using a fan or air conditioner, thirdhand smoke continues to cling to surfaces. The only way to truly prevent it is to not smoke at all.

Chemicals

• Cigarette smokes contains roughly 250 cancer-causing chemicals with more than 10 of them considered "class 1" carcinogens. Of these, chemicals such as arsenic, ammonia, lead and radioactive polonium-210 linger in thirdhand smoke. When inhaled, thirdhand smoke affects the tissue of the brain and the nerves. A 2004 study from San Diego University found traces of tobacco in the urine of the inhabitants, even months after smoking had ceased.

Children and Other Hazards

• Thirdhand smoke poses a particular threat to children, especially babies that crawl and play on carpets contaminated by it. Young children and babies also touch and put toys in their mouths that have been exposed, such as stuffed animals, giving the harmful chemicals easy access to their bodies. The smell of cigarette also lows the resale value of a house since it builds up and is nearly impossible to get rid of.