Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke: A Tobacco-Specific Lung Carcinogen on Surfaces in Smokers' Homes

• DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntt110
• Publication Date: 2013-07-27T01:41:30Z
• Authors: J. L. Thomas; S. S. Hecht; X. Luo; X. Ming; J. S. Ahluwalia; S. G. Carmella
• Keywords: Third-hand smoke; Tobacco smoke; Secondhand Smoke

Thirdhand tobacco smoke consists of substances remaining on the surfaces or in dust areas where people have smoked. While previous studies demonstrated presence nicotine and various other constituents smokers’ homes, none has investigated tobacco-specific carcinogens. We used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to analyze surface samples from both homes smokers nonsmokers for powerful lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). positively identified NNK 33 37 (700±788 pg/100cm2 [range, not detected–3,500 pg/100cm2]), but only 3 19 nonsmokers’ (235±176 was detected detected–435 pg/100cm2]). The differences occurrence levels were significant (p < .0001). is present most occupied by smokers. Potential renters buyers apartments should be notified if residents order avoid unnecessary exposure their families a potent carcinogen.