Thirdhand smoke is the mixture of chemicals left behind on clothes, skin, furniture, walls, and other surfaces after someone smokes or vapes. The mixture of pollutants in this chemical residue is toxic to humans and pets, containing over 25 chemicals listed in California’s Proposition 65 because they are known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. People can be exposed to this residue through their skin, by breathing polluted air, and by ingesting residue on contaminated objects.
Thirdhand smoke chemical residue can linger for years after smoking has stopped, and it can be difficult and expensive to remove. Currently, Californians are not informed about the smoking history of the home they are about to buy or rent, nor are they educated about the hazards of thirdhand smoke, since the Residential Environmental Hazards Guide does not include tobacco smoke residue. As a result, unsuspecting buyers and renters may find themselves stuck in housing that can make them sick.