Tobacco smoke is a likely source of lead and cadmium in settled house dust

Abstract

Introduction: Environmental exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are risk factors for adverse health outcomes in children and adults. This study examined whether thirdhand smoke residue contributes to Pb and Cd in settled house dust. Methods: Participants were 60 multiunit housing residents in San Diego, California. All had indoor smoking bans during the study period, and 55 were nonsmokers. Wipe samples from different surfaces and vacuum floor dust samples were analyzed for nicotine, a marker of thirdhand smoke, and for Pb and Cd using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, respectively. Results: Examined in each sample type separately, Pb and Cd loadings were significantly correlated (r = 0.73, vacuum floor dust; 0.52, floor wipes; 0.72, window sill/trough wipes; all p < 0.0025). Pb and Cd loadings from different sample types were not correlated (all p > 0.30). Nicotine loading in dust was significantly correlated with Pb and Cd loading in dust (r = 0.49 for Pb; r = 0.39 for Cd, all p < 0.0025). Pb and Cd loadings on floor or window surfaces, showed no association with nicotine loading in dust, on floors, or on furniture (all p < 0.30). Conclusions: Tobacco smoke is a likely source of Pb and Cd that accumulates in settled house dust in multiunit housing, suggesting that Pb and Cd are constituents of thirdhand smoke that lingers long after smoking has ended.

Higher Lead and Lower Calcium Levels Are Associated with Increased Risk of Mortality in Malaysian Older Population: Findings from the LRGS-TUA Longitudinal Study

“…Higher lead levels among the participants who had passed away could be due to the higher proportion of smokers in the group. Cigarette/tobacco smoke has been demonstrated as one of the routes of environmental exposure to heavy metals, including lead since the heavy metals from the soil are usually absorbed and accumulated in the plant tissues of tobacco [ 38 ]. Indeed, we found that the lead levels in smokers’ hair samples were significantly higher than in non-smokers (4.94 vs. 4.23 μg/g; p < 0.05).…”

Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Urinary Cadmium in Women from Northern Mexico

“…These types of misclassifications could serve to reduce the apparent difference in Cd between groups exposed to less smoke and the current smoking group. We do not account for other potential Cd exposures sources, such as house dust [ 41 ], occupation, or diet; however, we know that dietary contribution to urinary Cd is small compared to tobacco consumption [ 13 ]. Our small sample size may have reduced the power to detect an association between SHS exposure and Cd in most groups of our sample.…”

Indoor Secondary Pollutants Cannot Be Ignored: Third-Hand Smoke

“…Placental cadmium levels were higher in women who smoked compared to those who did not smoke [ 83 ] and blood cadmium levels were 3–4 times higher in smokers than non-smokers. Matt et al examined the composition of settled house dust and found that the cadmium and lead components of THS persisted long after smoking ended [ 84 ]. Cadmium in cigarette smoke is known to be a possible cause of lung cancer in smokers, and exposure to lead and cadmium in THS may lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and osteoporosis [ 85 ].…”