Many children are exposed to tobacco. And for good reason, 9 out of 10 children have nicotine residue on their hands, even those whose parents or relatives do not smoke, according to American studies.
- The high prevalence of exposure to tobacco smoke among all children under 12 is of concern. More than 96% of the participants would have traces of nicotine on their hands.
- Third-hand smoke is the invisible remains of cigarettes. These residues would be those found on the hands of almost all children.
In recent years, several studies have shown that passive exposure to tobacco smoke in children has adverse effects on their health. Recently, scientists from San Diego State University and the University of Cincinnati (USA) revealed that traces of nicotine were found on the hands of almost all children, even in homes non smokers. This discovery was revealed in a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open February 7.
To reach this conclusion, the researchers recruited 504 children under the age of 12 and followed them between February 2020 and May 2021. Their aim was to assess whether nicotine residue was present on the hands of the participants. For this, the authors took a swab of the children’s fingers and hands and analyzed them.
“We considered children to be protected from exposure to tobacco products if no member of the household smoked or vaped, if smoking and vaping were prohibited in the home and in cars, and if there were no had no contact with smokers in the previous week”the team said.
More than 96% of children have nicotine residue on their hands
According to the results, nicotine residues were detected on the hands of 189 children out of 193 girls and boys exposed to smoke, or 97.9%. The parents of some children said they made efforts to protect their child from the pollutants present in cigarettes. However, 296 children out of 311 girls and boys “protected from tobacco exposure”or 95.9%, would also have traces of nicotine on their hands.
Children aged 2 to 4 years, from low-income homes, whose parents used any product, had multiple contacts with smokers and without a complete ban on smoking at home had nicotine levels on their hands the highest.
How is it possible that traces of nicotine are present on the hands of children?
The researchers explained that third-hand smoke could be responsible for the presence of nicotine residues on the hands of children. “Third-hand smoke is the residue that lingers on surfaces, in dust, or in environments where tobacco has been used. Children are at greater risk of exposure to third-hand smoke than adults due to the weather. past inside, frequent hand-to-mouth behaviors, immature immune system and developing organs”, can we read in the works.
The team concluded that several rules need to be in place to prevent children from being exposed to third-hand smoke. She advised parents to stop smoking in their homes or cars and to regularly clean certain surfaces where toxic particles can accumulate.
