Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas.
Am J Perinatol. 2022 Nov;39(15):1634-1642. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1736287. Epub 2021 Oct 11.
Tobacco residue, also known as third-hand smoke (THS), contains toxicants and lingers in dust and on surfaces and clothes. THS also remains on hands of individuals who smoke, with potential transfer to infants during visitation while infants are hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), raising concerns (e.g., hindered respiratory development) for vulnerable infants. Previously unexplored, this study tested handwashing (HW) and sanitization efficacy for finger-nicotine removal in a sample of adults who smoked and were visiting infants in an NICU.
A cross-sectional sample was recruited to complete an interview, carbon monoxide breath samples, and three nicotine wipes of separate fingers (thumb, index, and middle). Eligible participants ( = 14) reported current smoking (verified with breath samples) and were randomly assigned to 30 seconds of HW ( = 7) or alcohol-based sanitization ( = 7), with the order of finger wipes both counterbalanced and randomly assigned. After randomization, the first finger was wiped for nicotine. Participants then washed or sanitized their hands and finger two was wiped 5 minutes later. An interview assessing tobacco/nicotine use and exposure was then administered, followed by a second breath sample and the final finger wipe (40-60 minutes after washing/sanitizing).
Generalized linear mixed models found that HW was more effective than sanitizer for nicotine removal but failed to completely remove nicotine.
Without proper protections (e.g., wearing gloves and gowns), NICU visitors who smoke may inadvertently expose infants to THS. Research on cleaning protocols are needed to protect vulnerable medical populations from THS and associated risks.
· NICU infants may be exposed to THS via visitors.. · THS is not eliminated by HW or sanitizing.. · THS removal protections for NICU infants are needed..
烟草残渣，也称为三手烟（THS），含有有毒物质，并滞留在灰尘中和表面以及衣物上。THS 也残留在吸烟的人的手上，当他们在新生儿重症监护病房（NICU）探望婴儿时，有可能将其转移给婴儿，这引起了人们对脆弱婴儿的关注（例如，阻碍呼吸发育）。此前尚未探索过，本研究测试了在一组吸烟并正在 NICU 探望婴儿的成年人中，洗手（HW）和消毒对手指尼古丁去除的效果。
招募了一个横断面样本，以完成访谈、一氧化碳呼气样本和三个单独手指（拇指、食指和中指）的尼古丁拭子。符合条件的参与者（ = 14）报告了当前吸烟（通过呼气样本证实），并被随机分配到 30 秒的 HW（ = 7）或基于酒精的消毒（ = 7），手指拭子的顺序均为平衡和随机分配。随机化后，第一个手指被擦拭尼古丁。参与者随后洗手或消毒手，5 分钟后擦拭第二个手指。然后进行评估烟草/尼古丁使用和暴露情况的访谈，接着进行第二次呼气样本和最后一个手指拭子（洗手/消毒后 40-60 分钟）。
广义线性混合模型发现，HW 比消毒剂更能有效去除尼古丁，但未能完全去除尼古丁。
如果没有适当的保护措施（例如，戴手套和长袍），吸烟的 NICU 访客可能会无意中使婴儿接触到 THS。需要对清洁方案进行研究，以保护脆弱的医疗人群免受 THS 及其相关风险的影响。
·NICU 婴儿可能通过访客接触到 THS。·HW 或消毒不能消除 THS。·需要为 NICU 婴儿提供 THS 去除保护措施。
