TILT, or Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance, is when individuals are exposed to nanoparticles and other toxins and develop a loss of tolerance to these substances. Smoking is a trigger of TILT. The article notes that this would be an issue for those sharing a home, as well as those living or working near smokers. The article notes, “Smokers or vapers who live in a multifamily residence or work with non-smokers who share the same air pose a potential hazard to non-smoking occupants, especially the elderly and children. Tobacco smoke migrates throughout a building via interstitial spaces and the piston-like action of elevators.”
Dr. Claudia Miller from the Hoffman TILT “urges immediate smoking bans inside multifamily dwellings, both to flatten the COVID-19 curve and address many of the adverse impacts of secondhand smoke on those who suffer from health problems ranging from TILT to chronic heart and lung conditions.”
This is an issue both for secondhand and thirdhand smoke. The article clarifies that “Thirdhand smoke clings to dust, clothes, furniture, drapes, walls, bedding, carpets, and other surfaces long after smoking has stopped, and builds up over time.” The risk for catching Coronavirus via thirdhand smoke remains for 9 days.
The article specifically points out how thirdhand smoke affects youth: “‘Infants and toddlers are at risk for [thirdhand smoke and thirdhand aerosol] exposure as they are in close bodily contact with their caregivers and are actively exploring their environments. They may touch, inhale, pick up, or ingest … infected particles, become infected, and subsequently infect older, at-risk family members,’ the researchers wrote.” Also, “dust may contain [thirdhand smoke] particles that are larger than coronaviruses.”
Author: Josh McCormack