Downloaded by UNIV OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO on December 24, 2015 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date (Web): November 8, 2013 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2013-1149.ch005
Chapter 5
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Residues on Tobacco Smokers’ Hands: Potential Vector for Exposure to Non-Smokers T. J. Fleming1 and J. T. F. Ashley*,1,2 1College
of Science, Health and Liberal Arts, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19144, USA 2Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, USA *E-mail:
[email protected] Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have previously been quantified in mainstream and sidestream environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) yet there is a paucity of data quantifying these contaminants in third-hand smoke (THS), the residue adhering to the smoker and smoking environment after smoking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate concentrations of 19 individual PAHs in THS adsorbed to smokers’ hands and to assess the potential for exposure to nonsmokers. Smokers’ hands were wiped with alcohol-soaked cotton balls and compared to non-smokers’ hands wiped the same manner. Smokers’ hands had significantly higher PAH levels (p
