Third-Hand Smoke (broadcast Friday, January 9th, 2009)

Photo by Flickr user Vanessa Pike-Russell

You know smoking can be hazardous to your health. Then came 'second-hand smoke.' Now, health researchers are cautioning about 'third-hand smoke' -- residues from smoking that linger on surfaces. The toxins, including heavy metals and carcinogens, can attach easily to hair or clothing, and be passed on to children long after the actual smoke has cleared. We'll talk about the risks, and what can be done to avert them.

Guests

Jonathan Winickoff
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts

Related Links

• Journal article: Beliefs About the Health Effects of "Thirdhand" Smoke and Home Smoking Bans (pdf)
• SciAm: What is third-hand smoke? Is it hazardous?
• NY Times: A New Cigarette Hazard: ‘Third-Hand Smoke’
• CBC: '3rd-hand smoke' poses risk to infants, doctors say

Segment produced by:Annette Heist

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Friday, January 9th, 2009

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