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The harmful effects of exposure to tobacco smoke have been known for many years. Smokers of cigarettes and cigars are at a much higher risk of contracting all kinds of respiratory diseases, and research linking second-hand smoke with cancer goes back almost three decades.
But what about chemicals that stain walls, ceilings, carpets and upholstery in premises where tobacco has been smoked? What about persistent nicotine on smokers' fingers? Is there anything dangerous in the tailings that lingers long after the smoke has dissipated?
Researchers from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati have uncovered more evidence of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to residues and particles left behind by tobacco smoke. . In "Nicotine on Children's Hands: Limited Smoking Protection Bans and First Clinical Outcomes", published Jan. 16 Overview of Tobacco Use, Cincinnati, Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, Assistant Physician for Children, and Ashley Merianos, Assistant Professor, found that not smoking near children did not prevent children from smokers from being exposed to the nicotine. They also found that higher levels of exposure to tobacco smoke residues – which probably include tobacco-specific carcinogenic nitrosamines – could be linked to respiratory problems.
"This just shows that indoor smoking bans do not necessarily protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke and related pollutants, such as second-hand smoke," Merianos said.
"It also shows that exposure to toxic substances from tobacco smoke is more prevalent than previously thought because exposure in children is not limited to inhalation. second-hand smoke, "adds Mahabee-Gittens.
Research staff collected, from April 2016 to August 2017, the dominant hand wipes of 104 children visiting the Cincinnati Pediatric Emergency Department for children, with complaints potentially related to exposure to tobacco smoke. and of which at least one caregiver had smoked. The wipes were then badyzed for nicotine.
The research explored several variables, including the self-reported smoking behaviors of those caring for children, as well as the number of smokers living with the child, the number of cigarettes smoked per day by those responsible , the number of cigarettes smoked around the child in any case. the location (like at home and in the car) and the number of cigarettes smoked around the child inside the house. The research also examined children's medical records regarding possible complaints related to smoke exposure such as wheezing and coughing, as well as medical history and discharge diagnoses.
The study found significant levels of nicotine on the hands of children of smokers whose caregivers did not smoke in their presence, with an average of 82 nanograms (ng) of nicotine. A similar amount was found on the hands of children whose guards smoked between one and five cigarettes a day in their presence. Children whose parents smoked 15 or more cigarettes around them had a nicotine level greater than 200 ng on their hands.
More than half of the children in the study were younger than 2 years old. Children in this age group consumed an average of about 69 ng of nicotine, while those aged 2 to 4 – which accounted for 25% of the children studied – averaged nearly three times as much (185.6 ng) . Children 5 years and older had only slightly more nicotine on their hands than children under 2 years old.
"Future work should explore the badociations between nicotine in the hands and age to determine how the changing interactions of children with their environment and their behaviors contribute to nicotine increases in children ages 2 to 4, if washing your hands reduces the risk and if [secondhand smoke-related] clinical diseases, "according to the research article.
Children whose caregivers smoked five or fewer cigarettes a day averaged about 55 ng of nicotine on their hands, while children whose caregivers smoked at least 15 per day averaged 124 ng of nicotine.
Children with higher levels of nicotine on their hands were significantly more likely to experience respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and coughing, says Merianos.
"This is only a preliminary conclusion," she warns. "We need to do more work There is little literature on the impact of second-hand smoke on the health effects of children."
Merianos encourages caregivers to quit in order to reduce children's exposure to nicotine and chemicals badociated with smoking. For those who do not stop smoking, she recommends washing hands, showering and changing clothes after smoking to minimize exposure to third smoke.
Mahabee-Gittens adds that parents who are smokers need to know that these measures are not enough to protect their children, as deep reservoirs of toxic substances continue to form at the same time as smoking.
Researchers will continue to study the question to see if the results are replicated with a larger sample of children.
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