Thirdhand Smoke

What is thirdhand smoke (THS)?

• Pollutants from tobacco smoke that:¹
  • Remain on surfaces long after tobacco smoke has cleared.
  • Re-emit back into the air.
  • React with other chemicals in the environment to create more pollutants.

Where is thirdhand smoke found?

• In vehicles and homes  where smoking has occurred.¹
• In homes where people have smoked, even after cleaning, painting, and carpeting.^1,2

How does thirdhand smoke affect health?

• THS contains cancer-causing agents.³
• THS can cause learning problems in children, affecting reading and math.⁴

Who is most at risk from thirdhand smoke?

• Small children are exposed when they play on carpets, where THS accumulates.²
• Because infants often put objects in their mouths, they consume twice as much dust as adults, increasing THS exposure.⁴

How can thirdhand smoke be prevented?

• Make your car and home 100% smoke-free.
• Ask about the smoke-free policy before you rent and past smoking in the property before you buy.
• Avoid housing, motel rooms, cars, and other spaces used by smokers.

Can thirdhand smoke be removed?

• THS can be removed from hard surfaces by washing with an acidic solution such as vinegar.⁵
• It is virtually impossible to remove THS from carpets, walls, upholstery, and other porous surfaces.⁵

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1. Burton, A. (2011). Does the smoke ever really clear? Thirdhand smoke exposure raises new concerns. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119, 71-74.

2. Matt GE, Quintana PJ, Zakarian JM, et al. (2011). When smokers move out and non-smokers move in: residential thirdhand smoke pollution and exposure. Tobacco Control, 20(1):e1.

3. Sleiman M, Gundel LA, Pankow JF, Jacob P, 3rd, Singer BC, Destaillats H. (2010). Formation of carcinogens indoors by surface-mediated reactions of nicotine with nitrous acid, leading to potential thirdhand smoke hazards. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(15):6576-6581.

4. Yolton K, Dietrich K, Auinger P, Lanphear B, Hornung R. (2005). Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and cognitive abilities among U.S. children and adolescents. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(1), 98-103.

5. Dreyfuss, J. H. (2010). Thirdhand smoke identified as a potent, enduring carcinogen. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 60(4), 203-204.