The Journal for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science has published a study on lingering tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).  Researchers in Berkeley, California (say no more Berkeley) have found “substantial” concentrations of toxins upon substances exposed to tobacco products.

What sort of substances? Clothing, furniture and wallpaper for starters.   [...]]]> Source:  BBC Health; PNAS (no laughing) Journal

The Journal for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science has published a study on lingering tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).  Researchers in Berkeley, California (say no more Berkeley) have found “substantial” concentrations of toxins upon substances exposed to tobacco products.

What sort of substances? Clothing, furniture and wallpaper for starters.   The researchers have suggested that third hand smoke is an unappreciated health hazard and have called for a ban on home and vehicular smoking -where TSNA’s can concentrate in unhealthful amounts.  The largest at risk group? Young children who touch and put everything in their mouths.

The director of the Brit smoker’s lobby group Forest (Freedom Organization for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco) (Yes, everyone has a lobby group nowadays!) was not-surprisingly skeptical, referring to the study as “propaganda dressed up as science.”  Oh, lest I be accused of bias, they have a website too.  http://www.forestonline.org/output/home.aspx

So is the risk of third hand smoke overstated?  Well, maybe.  However, one should consider that over 4000 chemical compounds are created by burning a cigarette, many of which are toxic and/or carcinogenic. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia are all present in cigarette smoke. 43 known carcinogens are in mainstream smoke, sidestream smoke, or both. For a complete list of toxins in tobacco, go to http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/nicotineinhaler/a/cigingredients.htm

And bear in mind that way back when asbestos was hailed as the new “wonder substance” finding it’s way into everything including bakelite jewelery (look it up, I’m not lying) it was felt to be safe.  Now years later we know that asbestos fibers can cling to everything, much like, well, third hand smoke.

~Posted by D.M. Schwadron, Esquire

Epidemiologists (people who study outbreaks of diseases) are beginning to link cases of Parkinson’s Disease to individuals occupationally (at work) exposed to pesticides. Specifically, [...]]]> You have to be the right age group for this one and it may be a regional thing but . . Apparently running behind the mosquito truck was NOT a good idea.

Epidemiologists (people who study outbreaks of diseases) are beginning to link cases of Parkinson’s Disease to individuals occupationally (at work) exposed to pesticides. Specifically, the study focused upon French farm workers (a potential oxymoron) who used and were close to the use of organochlorine based insecticides, including DDT which has been long banned in the United States.

The Paris-based researchers have reported early results suggesting an increased risk for Parkinson’s Disease among that group. While the study drew no conclusions for common backyard gardeners, if the results relative to professional farm workers are supported, it might be a good idea to just put down the spray can and find more environmentally, and people-healthy ways of ridding yourself of those bugs eating your tomatoes.

posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.