April 19, 2011 - A study by researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute found that prenatal exposure to toxic components of tobacco smoke (thirdhand smoke) can have as serious or an even more negative impact on infants’ lung development as postnatal or childhood exposure to smoke. “Thirdhand smoke is a stealth toxin because it lingers on the surfaces in the homes, hotel rooms, casinos and cars used by smokers where children, the elderly and other vulnerable people may be exposed to the toxicants without realizing the dangers,” said Virender Rehan, MD, a principal investigator at LA BioMed and corresponding author of the study. Pregnant women  should avoid homes and other places where thirdhand smoke is likely to be found to protect their unborn children’s lungs.  Researchers concluded that prenatal disruption of lung development can lead to asthma and other respiratory disorders that can last forever. 

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