‘Thirdhand smoke’ exposure another threat to children
Caitlin O. Smith Correspondent
Most parents are well aware that smoking in the presence oftheir children can harm the health of their little ones. Now,another invisible threat has been identified — thirdhandsmoke.
The term was coined to describe cigarettes’ lingeringaftereffects, which are just as harmful to children as secondhandsmoke. A few days or even weeks after a cigarette is smoked,particulates remain on countertops, floors and other surfaces.Curious children crawling on the floor, pressing their facesagainst walls and tables, and putting objects into their mouthsare at increased risk of coming into contact with these thirdhandtoxins.
Jonathan Klein, M.D., FAAP, an associate executivedirector of the American Academy of Pediatrics, likens second-and thirdhand smoke to lead. "These days," he said, "peoplewouldn’t think twice about the fact that you can’thave lead paint flakes in a house where children live. So ifyou think about the parallel, then is it OK to have circulatingsecond- and thirdhand smoke toxins in the air that childrenare forced to breathe? No, of course not.’
Here are some ways to limit or prevent your children’sexposure to the toxins:
Hire only nonsmoking baby sitters and care providers.
If smokersvisit your home, store their belongings out of yourchildren’sreach.
Never smoke in your children’s presence or inareas wherethey spend a lot of time, including your home andcar.
If you smoke, quit. Talk to your child’s pediatricianorto your own doctor to learn about resources and support networks.Amongthem are the American Lung Association, www.lungusa.org;theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Smoke-FreeHomesprogram, www.epa.gov/smokefree; and Clinical Effort AgainstSecondhandSmoke Exposure, www.ceasetobacco.org.
