- With Mayo Clinic internist
Lowell Dale, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Lowell Dale, M.D.
Lowell Dale, M.D.
Dr. Lowell Dale is the medical director of Mayo Clinic Tobacco Quitline and an associate professor of medicine at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Dale is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and he has been an internal medicine consultant at Mayo since 1985.
As a consultant in the Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine, Dr. Dale has served on various divisional committees, including the Administrative Committee, Education Committee, Personnel Committee and Long Range Planning Committee.
Dr. Dale is an accomplished author on treatment, health professional education and research issues related to tobacco use and dependence. He has contributed to numerous medical journals, including Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Dale received his B.A. degree from Augsburg College in Minneapolis and his M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Staying healthy (12)
- Will an air purifier eliminate cigarette smoke?
- Cellphones and cancer: What's the risk?
- Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
- see all in Staying healthy
Dental care (7)
- When to brush your teeth
- Whitening toothpaste: Does it whiten teeth?
- Heart disease prevention: Does oral health matter?
- see all in Dental care
Skin care (9)
- Does sunscreen expire?
- Tanning beds: Safer than the sun?
- Hydrated skin: Does drinking water help?
- see all in Skin care
Nail care (4)
- Acrylic nails: Can they harm natural nails?
- Split fingernails: Can they be prevented?
- Nail biting: Does it cause long-term damage?
- see all in Nail care
Eye care (2)
- Choosing sunglasses: Is UV protection important?
- Eye exam: Is a laser retina scan worthwhile?
Sleep (9)
- Sleep and technology: What's the connection?
- How many hours of sleep are enough?
- Sleep aids: Could antihistamines help me sleep?
- see all in Sleep
Mental health (2)
- Passive-aggressive behavior: What are the red flags?
- Stop multitasking and learn how to focus
Healthy at work (4)
- Shift work: Improving daytime sleep
- Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
- Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting: A concern?
- see all in Healthy at work
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Question
Thirdhand smoke: What are the dangers to nonsmokers?
What is thirdhand smoke, and why is it a concern?
Answer
from Lowell Dale, M.D.
Thirdhand smoke is generally considered to be residual nicotine and other chemicals left on a variety of indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. This residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix. This toxic mix of thirdhand smoke contains cancer-causing substances, posing a potential health hazard to nonsmokers who are exposed to it, especially children.
Studies show that thirdhand smoke clings to hair, skin, clothes, furniture, drapes, walls, bedding, carpets, dust, vehicles and other surfaces, even long after smoking has stopped. Infants, children and nonsmoking adults may be at risk of tobacco-related health problems when they inhale, ingest or touch substances containing thirdhand smoke. Thirdhand smoke is a relatively new concept, and researchers are still studying its possible dangers.
Thirdhand smoke residue builds up on surfaces over time and resists normal cleaning. Thirdhand smoke can't be eliminated by airing out rooms, opening windows, using fans or air conditioners, or confining smoking to only certain areas of a home. Thirdhand smoke remains long after smoking has stopped. In contrast, secondhand smoke is the smoke and other airborne products that come from being close to burning tobacco products, such as cigarettes.
The only way to protect nonsmokers from thirdhand smoke is to create a smoke-free environment, whether that's your private home or vehicle, or in public places, such as hotels and restaurants.
Next questionTriclosan: Is it safe?
- How tobacco smoke causes disease: The biology and behavioral basis for smoking-attributable disease. A report of the Surgeon General. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/tobaccosmoke/report/executivesummary.pdf. Accessed June 6, 2011.
- Sleiman M, et al. Formation of carcinogens indoors by surface-mediated reactions of nicotine with nitrous acid, leading to potential thirdhand smoke hazards. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2010;107:6576.
- Dreyfuss JH. Thirdhand smoke identified as potent, enduring carcinogen. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2010;60:203.
- Kuschner W., et al. Electronic cigarettes and thirdhand tobacco smoke: Two emerging health care challenges for the primary care provider. International Journal of General Medicine. 2011;4:115.
- Tuma RS. Thirdhand smoke: Studies multiply, catchy name raises awareness. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2010;102:1004.
- Dale LC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 20, 2011.
Find Mayo Clinic on