Update on thirdhand smoke: A comprehensive systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to perform a comprehensive review of the literature about thirdhand smoke (THS).

Methods: Systematic review of all aspects of THS. Standard methodological procedures were used to search the following databases through April 2018: MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science (WOS) in Indo-European languages. To identify published grey literature, the first 200 hits from Google Scholar™ were evaluated. Clinical trial databases, conference proceedings, and reference lists from the identified articles were also searched. Two unblinded review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion in the review. These same reviewers also extracted study data in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018083619).

Results: Sixty-eight articles were included in this systematic review. Of these, 28 analyzed the concentration of nicotine as a component of THS (the most commonly-used method to measure THS in those studies was chromatography, followed by the mass spectrometry), 21 evaluated the exposure and impact of THS on health (11 studies analyzed the effect of THS in cells [human and animal], 4 in animals, 1 in adults, and 5 in children), 16 investigated the beliefs, behaviours, and policies related to THS, and 3 evaluated other aspects such as THS in e-cigarettes or hookahs. In these 68 studies, THS was determined by measuring the following components: nicotine (30 studies), nitrosamines (17 studies) and cotinine (15 studies). The findings from most of these studies suggest a potential health impact of THS exposure (i.e.: cytotoxicity, metabolic alterations in metabolism, in glycemia; or cell structure; alterations in liver, lung, skin and behaviour in mice), and low awareness about the risks of THS among the general population.

Conclusions: Numerous specific biomarkers of THS were evaluated, with the most common being nicotine, nitrosamines, and cotinine. The most common method of preparing THS dust samples were cotton wipes, while chromatography, used alone or coupled with mass spectrometry, was the most common analytical technique. We have tried to establish common bases after reviewing all the current literature of the THS although, there is great heterogeneity between the studies and we have not always succeeded. The studies in this review demonstrate the harmful effects of THS on health in cells, in animal models, and in people including children. However, in people, the long-term effects remain unknown and more research is needed. These studies show that knowledge about THS and its potential harmful effects are poorly understood among the general population. For this reason, THS should receive greater emphasis in education and awareness policies.

Keywords: Residual tobacco smoke; Third hand smoke; Thirdhand smoke.