Third-Hand Smoke and Children 1 The Effects of Third-Hand Smoke on Children Student:

Research has shown that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and accompanying research has shown there are associated health risks from second-hand smoke (the smoke emitted from a lit cigarette or exhaled from a smoker). But what do we know about the potential health effects of the smoke once it has settled? The goal of this project was to examine research conducted by various institutions to assess the health risks attributed to third-hand smoke (THS), primarily focusing on those posed to children, and to aid in raising a greater awareness of tobacco related health risks. The research examined in this project used a variety of methods in obtaining their data, these methods included blood panels, liver and lung biopsy for histological analysis, closed room air pollutant analysis, and behavioural observation of both the control and exposed groups. Further research should be conducted to examine any metabolic effects that may contribute to the bioaccumulation of chemicals present in THS as well as any long-term effects that have not yet been noted due to the relatively recent discovery of the concept of THS.