A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has found exposure to third-hand smoke (THS) causes skin diseases.
The study—the first to look at humans exposed to THS—involved 10 healthy non-smokers wearing clothing with either filtered (过滤的) air or THS chemicals. The investigation lasted three hours, during which participants would either walk or run for 15 minutes per hour—this would make them sweat and increase the levels of THS potentially taken in through the skin. Blood samples were collected, which were measured to see whether THS may have caused cell or tissue damage.
"We found THS exposure caused damage to DNA, lipids (脂质), and proteins, and the damage remained even after the exposure stopped," said Shane Sakamaki-Ching, a doctor of biology and the first author of the study. "Cigarette smokers show the same result." The study showed exposure to THS increases signals related with skin diseases, which makes sense: the organ most likely to come into contact with THS is your skin, and so it receives the biggest exposure to the harmful chemicals. "However, what's even more worrying is the tendency to lead to cancer," added Sakamaki-Ching.
"If you buy a used car previously owned by a smoker, you are putting yourself at some health risk," said Prue Talbot, a professor of cell biology at UC Riverside and the corresponding author of the study. "If you go to a restaurant that allows smoking, you are exposing your skin to THS. The same applies to staying in a hotel room that was previously occupied by a smoker."
All that came from just three hours' investigation. And if you think e-cigarette smokers are being forgotten, fear not: the team's next project is to take a look at which remains are left by these less-deadly death sticks.
Sakamaki-Ching said, "Our findings can help physicians in checking patients exposed to THS and help develop policies improving indoor environments polluted by THS."
