THIRD-HAND SMOKE? HARMFUL TO DNA
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A study conducted by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discovered for the first time that the "third hand smoke", or harmful residue that sticks to almost any surface after the smoke of a cigarette has cleared the field, causes genetic damage to human cells.
Not only that, the study also found that chronic exposure is worse than acute exposure, suggesting that the residue becomes more damaging over time. "The cumulative effect of the" third hand smoke "is significant," said Lara Gundel, a scientist at Berkeley Lab and co-author of the study "The results suggest that the materials may be more toxic with time."
"This is the first study to find that the" third hand smoke "is mutagenic," said Gundel "The tobacco-specific nitrosamines, some of the chemical compounds in the" third hand smoke ", are among the most potent carcinogens existing. remain on the surfaces, and when those surfaces are clothes or carpets, the danger to children is particularly serious. "
The article "The third-hand smoke causes damage to the DNA of human cells," was published in the journal "Mutagenesis". The lead researcher of this study is Bo Hang, a biochemist at the Life Sciences Division of Berkeley Lab, who has worked with an interdisciplinary team of chemists at the Berkeley Lab Environmental Energy Technologies Division and scientists from UC San Francisco, UCLA Medical Center and University of Texas.
The researchers tested the genotoxicity and have discovered that the "third hand smoke" can cause both strand breaks of DNA, nochè an oxidative DNA damage, which can lead to mutation of the gene. The genotoxicity is associated with the development of diseases and is a fundamental mechanism responsible for many types of cancer caused by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
When the nicotine of the "third hand smoke" reacts with nitrous acid, it undergoes a chemical change form carcinogenic nitrosamines and tobacco-specific, such as NNA, NNN and NNK. Nicotine can react with ozone to form ultrafine particles, which can carry harmful chemicals and pass through human tissue. Humans can be exposed to the "third hand smoke" by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact.
The "third-hand smoke" is particularly insidious because it is extremely difficult to eradicate. Studies have found that it can be detected in dust and surfaces of flats also more than two months after that smokers have left the area. Methods for cleaning up areas such as vacuuming, clean and ventilate have not proved effective in reducing contamination by nicotine. "You can do some things to reduce odors, but it is very difficult to clean everything really," said Destaillats. "The best solution is to replace the materials, such as changing the carpet, repaint."
The researchers conclude by stating: "In the final analysis, knowledge of the mechanisms by which exposure to the" third hand smoke "increases the likelihood of disease development in exposed individuals should lead to new strategies for prevention." Source Worldhealth
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