Tobacco smoke is absorbed by the clothes and the surfaces of the house and forms carcinogenic compounds that pose a risk to infants and children if the touch and swallow, warn U.S. researchers.

"These findings raise concerns about exposure to tobacco residues, which recently called ’third-hand smoking" the group writes in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Because of frequent contact with the surfaces of the house and dust, infants and children are at greater risk ’estimate of researchers Livermor Lawrence National Laboratory in California.

They, however, that a good cleaning with a vacuum cleaner can remove these potential carcinogens.

Insidious nicotine

To wonder is that the risk comes from the nicotine that is addictive but not carcinogenic.

When released into the environment, nicotine reacts with other substances forming carcinogenic nitrosamines.

"Burning tobacco releases nicotine in the form of a vapor absorbed strongly on internal surfaces such as walls, floors, carpets, curtains and furniture. Nicotine can stay on surfaces for days, weeks or months, "explained the Reuters Ntesteilats the Hugo, a member of the research team.

Nitrosamines are then produced by reaction of nicotine with another substance, nitrous acid, which is released mainly from natural gas appliances and car engines.

The latest study included laboratory tests and measurements in the van a fanatical 45-year smoker. Nitrosamines were detected in all parts of the car but mainly in the passenger cabin.

Researchers now believe that the authorities should consider taking measures against "third-hand smoking", as they do on passive smoking.

They stressed the need to consider carefully the potential side effects of so-called "electronic" cigarettes do not cause smoke but nicotine release steam.

from www.in.gr