While the pervasiveness and persistence of THS pollutants have been demonstrated across a wide variety of indoor environments, very little is known about how to reduce or remove THS pollution in contaminated environments. ![]() 15, 19–24 The dynamic interaction of chemicals with surfaces in indoor environments is particularly significant for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and their secondary pollutants, many of which are known biologically active toxicants and federally regulated as hazardous air pollutants and California state-regulated toxic air contaminants. ![]() 18 The deposition, adsorption, and accumulation of SHS and its transition to THS have been studied in controlled chambers and in real-world field studies, and these processes are a function of smoking behavior (eg, frequency, duration, and type of tobacco products), the properties and interactions of the chemical constituents (eg, volatility, pH, and reactivity), and the environment in which they are emitted (eg, volume, surface material, humidity, and air exchange rate). Secondhand smoke (SHS) is a dynamic mixture of more than 7000 particulate and gas-phase compounds, and this mixture is the precursor of THS. 15, 16 Young children are especially at risk due to hand-to-mouth behavior, small body size, increased inhalation rate, immature organ and immune systems, and activity near surfaces where pollutants accumulate. 13, 14 From these reservoirs, volatile compounds can be reemitted and particulate matter can become resuspended, allowing THS pollutants to cause exposure and human health risks through inhalation, dermal transfer, and ingestion long after smoking has occurred. 1–12 Also known as thirdhand smoke (THS), this residue accumulates in dust and on surfaces and can become embedded in materials where it creates long-term reservoirs of pollutants. ![]() Toxic tobacco smoke residue can persist for extended periods of time after tobacco has been smoked in homes, used cars, rental cars, hotel rooms, casinos, and in educational and medical settings where tobacco smoke pollutants have been brought in from the outside.
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