New study shows health risks of ‘third-hand’ smoking

New research has suggested that children could be at risk of long-term health problems because of 'third-hand' smoking.

The term relates to the process of harmful particles contained in cigarette smoke being inhaled after becoming stuck to surfaces or worktops in the home.

Although the effects of this were previously something of an unknown quantity, researchers at York University have claimed it could carry a potential cancer risk.

Professor Alastair Lewis, from York's Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, explained that the high frequency of children who live in a house where one or more people smoke means that further insight into the risks of third-hand smoke are needed.

He said: "Over 40 per cent of children have at least one smoking parent and whereas there is a general public awareness about the harms of second-hand smoke, there is little knowledge about the dangers of third-hand smoke."

Professor Lewis went on to say that the transportation of the harmful particles could happen in a number of ways, for example when airborne smoke from outside finds its way through an open door or window.