Effects Of Thirdhand Smoke Research Articles

Long-term exposure to third-hand smoke could accelerate biological aging via mitochondrial dysfunction: Evidence from population and animal studies

The relationship between third-hand smoke (THS) exposure and lifespan remains inadequately explored. Our study sought to clarify the effects of THS on aging and lifespan. In this pursuit, our cross-sectional analysis assessed hematological aging markers in 986 non-smokers and examined lifespan alterations using a Drosophila model. THS exposure levels were quantified through survey metrics consistent with the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. The findings revealed that THS exposure significantly accelerated biological aging, with exposed individuals exhibiting an average increase in biological age of 3.04 years compared to their unexposed counterparts (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the Drosophila model reflected these outcomes, showing a reduction in lifespan by 16.07 days (p < 0.01). Proteomic analyses identified MRPL2 as a pivotal protein in THS-induced aging, linking its expression to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Further metabolomic profiling highlighted disruptions in energy metabolism pathways. Follow-up in vitro experiments confirmed the role of MRPL2 in the aging processes at the cellular level. Overall, our results indicate that THS exposure is a significant accelerant of aging, providing new perspectives on the health consequences of environmental smoke residues.

Primary aromatic amines (PAAs) in third-hand smoke collected from waterpipe/cigarette cafés: Level and exposure assessment

Third-hand smoke (THS) has been recognized as a main exposure route to the chemical content of tobacco products. In the present study, potential exposure of people to primary aromatic amines (PAAs) release from indoor settled dusts in smoking and non-smoking cafés were studied for the first time. Nine compounds of PAAs in the indoor dust samples of waterpipe, cigarettes and non-smoking cafés in Bushehr were measured by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The mean concentration levels of ∑PAAs released through settled indoor dusts of waterpipe, cigarettes and non-smoking cafés were 728.23, 331.37 and 66.11 ng g−1, respectively. The results showed that the mean concentration levels of ∑PAAs were ranked as: waterpipe cafés ˃ cigarette cafés ˃ non-smoking cafés. Among the measured PAAs, aniline (ANL) and 2, 6-dimethylaniline (2, 6-DMA) have the highest levels. The findings also showed that the levels of PAAs had a negative and significant relationship (P < 0.05) with “the ventilation rate”, “number of window/doors”, and “café area”, but a positive and significant relationship with “the number of active smokers” and “the time from last painting” (P < 0.05). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of PAAs in settled indoor dusts for different age groups (infants, toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults) were ranged from 52.5 to 3832.8 ng kg−1-bw day−1, and EDI value for toddlers was higher than others groups. Although all obtained EDI values were lower than acceptable exposure values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but chronic exposure can be harmful to health. Hence, more comprehensive studies are needed to evaluate different chemical contents and potential health effects of THS.

Turkish Pediatrician Beliefs About Third-hand Smoking

Although third-hand smoke (THS) is a relatively new concept, it emerges as an important health problem. This study evaluated the beliefs of Turkish Pediatricians about THS. The survey, designed to be self-filled by pediatricians, provided information on demographic data, lifestyle factors, and beliefs about THS. Participant beliefs about THS were evaluated using the Beliefs About Third-Hand Smoke scale. This study was conducted by applying a web-based survey to pediatricians in Turkey. The Beliefs About Third-Hand Smoke scale scores were lower in participants who were male (odds ratio [OR]=1.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.246-0.526; p < .001), have children (OR=0.656; 95% CI, 0.156-0.665; p=.002), widowed/separated (OR=0.498; 95% CI, -1.072 to -0.360; p < .001), a smoker (OR=0.586; 95% CI, -0.711 to -0.355; p < .001), worked in State Hospital (OR=0.574; 95% CI, -0.768 to -0.423; p < .001), and specialists (OR=0.621; 95% CI, -0.608 to -0.207; p < .001). This study showed that pediatricians who were male, widowed/separated, a smoker, with children, working in a State Hospital, and specialists had less belief in the side effects of THS.

Parental Beliefs on the Harmfull Effects of Third Hand Smoke: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Background Third-hand smoke (THS); occurs as a result of the reaction of tobacco smoke residues left on furnitures or on smokers with the chemical substances in the environment. Children are a risky group in terms of THS exposure because they spend a lot of time at home and touch surfaces frequently. The aim is to systematically compile and meta-analyze studies in which parents' beliefs that THS are harmful are evaluated. Methods Pubmed, Scpous and Web of Science databases were scanned until April 6, 2021. Selective keywords were ‘third-hand smoke', ‘third hand smoke', ‘thirdhand smoke' and ‘belief'. Articles that were found to be suitable for the purpose of the study were also included by manually searching the references of the included articles. The PRISMA checklist was followed in the study. Studies that could not be clearly differentiated from THS from second-hand tobacco smoke and were not performed in parents were excluded. Duplicates were eliminated and the remaining article abstracts were read double-blind. Study data were entered into the OpenMeta [Analyst] program. Fixed effects model in the presence of homogeneous groups and random effects model in the presence of heterogeneous groups were used. Results As a result of the first literature search, 302 articles were reached. A total of 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis. As a result of the analysis, 4274 (57.3%, 95% CI 51.5-63.2) of 7632 parents were smoking and 5864 (76.3%, 95 CI 64.3-88.4) believed THS harms the health of children. In 4 studies, 2037 of 3581 parents (45.2%, 95% CI 24.2-66.1) were implementing a smoking ban at home. In 3 studies, the belief that THS is harmful to child health was higher in the presence of smoking ban at home (OR: 2.03, 95% GA 1.45-2.85, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusions The frequency of smoking and smoking at home is high in parents. One in four parents does not believe THS is harmful to children's health. Key messages In order to protect children from THS harms, it is not enough just to not smoke in the house, and smoking should be evoided everywhere. Educational interventions should be planned to convince parents about the harmful effects of THS on child health.

The effects of thirdhand smoke on reproductive health

Tobacco smoke is an environmental pollutant that can cause follicle destruction and oocyte dysfunction. Thirdhand smoke (THS) is residual tobacco smoke existing in the environment long after cigarettes have been extinguished, which can react with other environmental compounds to produce secondary pollutants. THS contains a variety of toxic and harmful chemicals, such as nicotine and 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-butanal (NNA), a logical biomarker of THS exposure. The health hazards of THS exposure and its components have been researched in recent years. In this review, we have summarized research progress on the effects of THS exposure on organs in mice and humans especially on the reproductive system. This review may help evaluate the health risks of THS, in particular reproduction and offspring health. We hope this review will guide public health education on the dangers of THS exposure and promotion of healthy living habits.

Toxic effects of 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-butanal on the reproduction of female mice

Cigarette smoke can affect female reproductive health by causing follicle destruction and oocyte dysfunction. Third-hand smoke has received increasing attention as a public health issue. However, the effects of third-hand smoke on the female reproductive system, particularly the ovaries, remain unclear. 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-butanal (NNA) can be used as a biomarker of third-hand smoke. We studied the in vivo toxic effects of NNA on mice ovaries and offspring development. Three-week-old premature female mice were exposed to NNA at two different concentrations (0.075 μg/kg and 0.15 μg/kg body weight) and tap water (blank control) and diluted dimethylsulfoxide (solvent control) for 30 days. We found that oral administration of NNA (0.075 μg/kg and 0.15 μg/kg) significantly reduced ovary weight (the 0.15 μg/kg group was reduced to 18.69% ± 0.89%) and ovarian follicle number (reduced by about 30%) (p < 0.05). Consumption of 0.15 μg/kg NNA reduced the survival rate of superovulated oocytes from 91.36% to 60.55% (p < 0.05). In addition, treated female mice in each group were mated with normal male mice to observe the effects of NNA on the F1 offspring, and during mating and lactation, all groups were given tap water. Two different concentrations of NNA exposure also significantly reduced body weight and impaired ear opening, tooth eruption and eye opening in F1 offspring, especially those exposed to 0.15 μg/kg NNA (p < 0.05). Our study suggested that NNA exposure had toxic effects on the reproductive health of female mice and their offspring. The results obtained may help evaluate the risks of third-hand smoke to women's reproductive health and to the health of their offspring.

Toxic effects of 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-butanal on the maturation and subsequent development of murine oocyte

Cigarette smoke can cause follicle destruction and oocyte dysfunction and increase the risks of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and tubal ectopic pregnancy, affecting female reproductive health. Third-hand smoke (THS) is residual tobacco smoke existing in the environment long after cigarettes are extinguished, which can react with other compounds in the environment to produce secondary pollutants. However, the effects of THS on the female reproductive system, particularly the maturation of the oocyte, remain unclear. 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-butanal (NNA), a component of THS, is a logical biomarker of THS exposure. Thus, this study aims to investigate the toxic effects of NNA on the maturation of murine oocytes and subsequent developmental competence. Herein, murine oocytes were exposed to 0 (control group), 0.1, 1.0, 10, and 50 μM NNA for 24 h. Our results showed that NNA exposure reduced the polar body extrusion rate by causing 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) to increase and disrupting the meiotic spindle morphology by inhibiting ERK1/2 activation during in vitro maturation. Additionally, NNA exposure resulted in cleavage and blastocyst rate reduction by altering DNA and histone methylations by reducing 5 mC and H3K4me2 levels and by inducing apoptosis caused by mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species accumulation, as shown by the increased superoxide dismutase mRNA level and by the decreased Bcl-x mRNA level. Collectively, our results demonstrate that NNA exposure reduces the maturation and developmental capability of murine oocytes by increasing the risk of DNA damage and abnormal spindle morphology, altering epigenetic modifications, and inducing apoptosis, suggesting the toxic effect of NNA on mammalian productive health.

Knowledge and attitudes toward thirdhand smoke among parents with children under 3 years in Spain.

The knowledge and beliefs about what is thirdhand smoke (THS) are limited. Our objective is to characterize the knowledge and beliefs about THS in parents of children under 3 years old in Spain. A cross-sectional study (n = 1406 parents) was conducted online in 2017. We collected information about the knowledge of THS given later, written information with the definition of THS, and asking about beliefs of the effects of THS on children's health. A total of 27% of the respondents had heard about THS. We only found significant differences among smoking status, being the smokers who declare higher knowledge about THS. A total of 86% of the respondents believed that THS is harmful to their children with statistically significant differences according to educational level, higher among parents with a university degree (ORa = 2.6), and according to the previous knowledge on THS (ORa = 2.1). This is the first study in Europe to describe the knowledge and belief of THS. Around 3 out of 10 parents have heard about THS and more than 8 out of 10 parents believed that THS is harmful to their children. Currently, they were not aware of THS but after providing brief information about it, most of them agreed that THS exposure is harmful to their children.

Adverse Health Effects of Thirdhand Smoke: From Cell to Animal Models.

The newly identified smoke hazard, thirdhand smoke (THS), has gained public attention in recent years but its health impact and biological effects are largely unknown. THS may be defined by “the four Rs”: tobacco chemicals that remain, react, re-emit, and/or are resuspended long after active smoking has ceased. This review summarizes recent research progress in the effects of THS on genotoxicity, metabolism and early life development using cellular and animal models. We first reported that THS generated in laboratory systems caused significant DNA damage in human cell lines. Our finding that THS significantly induces oxidative base lesions has been confirmed in skin wounds of mice models exposed to THS. THS also induced metabolomic changes in human reproductive cell lines. Furthermore, we demonstrated that early exposure to THS not only negatively impacts body weight in both male and female mice, but also induces persistent changes to immunological parameters in peripheral blood in these mice. These results indicate that THS is genotoxic at realistic experimental doses and that there may be a window of susceptibility for some forms of cellular damage induced by THS.

THS Toxins Induce Hepatic Steatosis by Altering Oxidative Stress and SIRT1 Levels

Background: Third hand smoke (THS) forms when second hand smoke (SHS) tobacco toxins accumulate on surfaces such as walls, carpets and clothing and can result in adverse health effects. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of THS-induced hepatic steatosis. Methodology: We used an in vivo exposure system that mimics exposure of humans to THS to investigate the effects of THS on hepatic lipid metabolism. THS-exposed mice were treated either with the liver-damaging drug, Nacetyl- p-aminophenol (APAP/Tylenol) to increase oxidative stress or with the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine and α- Tocopherol which decrease oxidative stress. Results: THS-exposed mice have higher levels of superoxide dismutase activity and H2O2 levels. However, no significant changes in activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase were found, implying the presence of high levels of hydrogen peroxide in the liver. Furthermore, THS-exposed mice also have a lower NADP+/NADPH ratio, indicating decreased ability of these mice to combat oxidative stress. THS-exposed mice show a decrease in ATP production, increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, as well as increased molecular damage (lipid peroxidation, protein nitrosylation and DNA damage). Treating THS-exposed mice with APAP/Tylenol enhances the THS-induced damage whereas treating with antioxidants reduces the damage. THSexposed mice also have lower sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels compared to controls which decreased activation of 5' AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK) and increased sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c). Conclusion: THS-exposed mice on a normal diet have increased oxidative stress and damage mediated by oxidative stress, which results in alterations to the SIRT1/AMPK/SREPB1c signaling pathway. Increasing oxidative stress results in enhanced THS-induced damage whereas decreasing oxidative stress causes improvement in the THS-induced liver damage. Our results show that THS is a new risk factor contributing to the development of liver steatosis and highlight the danger of THS in general.

Science, policy and the rise of ‘thirdhand smoke’ as a public health issue

‘Thirdhand smoke’, the designated term for the cigarette smoke toxicants that linger on room and car surfaces long after the smoke itself dissipates, is a concept that has gained increasing prominence in tobacco control policy and research over the past six years. In this paper, I track the emergence of thirdhand smoke as a social and scientific concept, conducting a critical analysis of newspaper reports and references to the term in the academic and policy literature. Demonstrating that claims about the health effects of thirdhand smoke occurred in the absence of evidence of harm, I examine the broader sociopolitical conditions that enabled the concept to become meaningful (and useful). I show that some of the concept’s legitimacy came from its presentation as a natural extension of secondhand smoke, and its framing as a particular threat to babies and children. However, I argue that the experiential, embodied dimension of thirdhand smoke itself was crucial to its success.

Cigarette smoke toxins deposited on surfaces: implications for human health.

Cigarette smoking remains a significant health threat for smokers and nonsmokers alike. Secondhand smoke (SHS) is intrinsically more toxic than directly inhaled smoke. Recently, a new threat has been discovered – Thirdhand smoke (THS) – the accumulation of SHS on surfaces that ages with time, becoming progressively more toxic. THS is a potential health threat to children, spouses of smokers and workers in environments where smoking is or has been allowed. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of THS on liver, lung, skin healing, and behavior, using an animal model exposed to THS under conditions that mimic exposure of humans. THS-exposed mice show alterations in multiple organ systems and excrete levels of NNAL (a tobacco-specific carcinogen biomarker) similar to those found in children exposed to SHS (and consequently to THS). In liver, THS leads to increased lipid levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a precursor to cirrhosis and cancer and a potential contributor to cardiovascular disease. In lung, THS stimulates excess collagen production and high levels of inflammatory cytokines, suggesting propensity for fibrosis with implications for inflammation-induced diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. In wounded skin, healing in THS-exposed mice has many characteristics of the poor healing of surgical incisions observed in human smokers. Lastly, behavioral tests show that THS-exposed mice become hyperactive. The latter data, combined with emerging associated behavioral problems in children exposed to SHS/THS, suggest that, with prolonged exposure, they may be at significant risk for developing more severe neurological disorders. These results provide a basis for studies on the toxic effects of THS in humans and inform potential regulatory policies to prevent involuntary exposure to THS.

Thirdhand Smoke in Review: Research Needs and Recommendations

Studies over the last half-century have clearly demonstrated that cigarette smoking is associated with adverse health effects both for smokers and for individuals exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS). Now a new level of exposure has been identified: thirdhand smoke (THS), or residual tobacco smoke pollutants that remain on surfaces and in dust and that are reemitted in the gas phase and interact with other compounds. In a new review, researchers offer a descriptive analysis of THS constituents and dynamics and argue for the establishment of a programmatic research agenda to close gaps in our understanding of the nature and effects of THS [EHP 119(9):1218–1226; Matt et al.]. THS exposure is the result of inhalation, ingestion, or dermal uptake of THS pollutants in the air, in dust, and on surfaces. The authors point out that THS and SHS are closely related, and in fact coexist as THS is first formed and in settings where smoking recurs regularly. But whereas SHS is removed by ventilation, THS pollutants may persist in environments for several hours or days after tobacco has been smoked. THS components—such as nicotine and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo[a]pyrene—are sorbed and reemitted from indoor surfaces over varying periods of time after tobacco sources have been extinguished. Some THS components react with other environmental compounds to produce secondary pollutants. For instance, chemical reactions between nicotine and nitrous acid lead to the formation of additional tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and ozone can react with certain volatile organic compounds to form formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzaldehyde. Thirdhand smoke lingers after secondhand smoke has cleared from the room. THS constituents have been measured in indoor spaces months after smoking last occurred. Given the U.S. Surgeon General’s conclusion that there appears to be no risk-free level of exposure to SHS, this raises the possibility that THS could lead to potentially harmful exposures, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children. The investigators recommend that future studies further define the chemistry and toxicology of THS, which will aid in establishing, enhancing, and enforcing public policies and personal practices that limit tobacco smoke exposure. The authors note that voluntary public and private policies enacted over the last decade—including an increase in smoke-free workplaces, public areas, and lodging—have effectively addressed THS exposure in some settings. They argue that stronger public health policies can be developed through an interdisciplinary research agenda that combines basic and applied risk assessment research with studies on tobacco use and cessation.

Thirdhand tobacco smoke: emerging evidence and arguments for a multidisciplinary research agenda.

Background: There is broad consensus regarding the health impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, yet considerable ambiguity exists about the nature and consequences of thirdhand smoke (THS).Objectives: We introduce definitions of THS and THS exposure and review recent findings about constituents, indoor sorption–desorption dynamics, and transformations of THS; distribution and persistence of THS in residential settings; implications for pathways of exposure; potential clinical significance and health effects; and behavioral and policy issues that affect and are affected by THS.Discussion: Physical and chemical transformations of tobacco smoke pollutants take place over time scales ranging from seconds to months and include the creation of secondary pollutants that in some cases are more toxic (e.g., tobacco-specific nitrosamines). THS persists in real-world residential settings in the air, dust, and surfaces and is associated with elevated levels of nicotine on hands and cotinine in urine of nonsmokers residing in homes previously occupied by smokers. Much still needs to be learned about the chemistry, exposure, toxicology, health risks, and policy implications of THS.Conclusion: The existing evidence on THS provides strong support for pursuing a programmatic research agenda to close gaps in our current understanding of the chemistry, exposure, toxicology, and health effects of THS, as well as its behavioral, economic, and sociocultural considerations and consequences. Such a research agenda is necessary to illuminate the role of THS in existing and future tobacco control efforts to decrease smoking initiation and smoking levels, to increase cessation attempts and sustained cessation, and to reduce the cumulative effects of tobacco use on morbidity and mortality.