Jump to full article: BBC Online, 2010-02-09
Intro: Lingering residue from tobacco smoke which clings to upholstery, clothing and the skin releases cancer-causing agents, work in PNAS journal shows.
Berkeley scientists in the US ran lab tests and found "substantial levels" of toxins on smoke-exposed material.
They say while banishing smokers to outdoors cuts second-hand smoke, residues will follow them back inside and this "third-hand smoke" may harm.
Opponents called it a laughable term designed to frighten people unduly.
The scientists say nicotine stains on clothing, furniture and wallpaper can react with a common indoor pollutant to generate dangerous chemicals called tobacco-specific nitrosamines or TSNAs. . . .
er understand what threat, if any, TSNAs pose.
Amanda Sandford of Action on Smoking and Health said: "The harmful effects of second-hand smoke are already well-established but this study adds a new dimension to the dangers associated with smoking and provides further evidence of the need to protect children, in particular, from exposure to tobacco smoke.
"The study shows that the residue of smoke on surfaces represents a potential risk for cancer but so far we don't know how big at risk."
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' lobby group Forest, remained sceptical.
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