Q: What is Third-hand Smoke? What are the hazards?

A: “Third-hand smoke” refers to the tobacco smoke residue left on clothes, walls, carpets, furniture, and even hair and skin after smoking. Third-hand smoke is currently the most widespread and serious indoor air pollution, because these residual cigarette odors on clothes and furniture may linger for hours or even months.

What’s worse, they are also highly likely to be absorbed into human skin. The toxic ingredients contained in third-hand smoke include hydrocyanic acid, butane, toluene, arsenic, lead, carbon monoxide, etc. Once these carcinogens enter human cells, they may cause genetic mutations, thus leading to cancer or other diseases.