The danger of third-hand smoke
Smoking is a well-known source of indoor air pollutants. As well as the obvious dangers of first-hand exposure, unintentional inhalation of 'second-hand smoke' is also known as a potential health risk. However, the dangers of third-hand smoke may also pose more of a risk than previously thought, according to a study in Environmental Science and Technology.
Smoking is a well-known source of indoor air pollutants. As well as the obvious dangers of first‑hand exposure, unintentional inhalation of “second-hand smoke” is also known as a potential health risk. However, the dangers of third-hand smoke may also pose more of a risk than previously thought, according to a study in Environmental Science and Technology.1
Third-hand smoke is a consequence of the residual smoke that remains on the surface after the cigarette is extinguished. Exposure can occur by re-emission or skin contact with the surface, as well as via other pollutants that can be generated when ozone in the air reacts with the nicotine deposited on the surface.
To better understand this process, researchers used gas chromatography and spectroscopic techniques to study the interaction between nicotine and indoor air on typical indoor surfaces including paper, cotton and cellulose (a component of wood furniture).
Reactions between the nicotine and ozone were found to produce mysomine and cotinine under wet and dry conditions, as well as two unique compounds under humid conditions. These components have been identified in the particulate phase of environmental tobacco smoke and, according to the study, highlight the relevance of indoor surface reactions to the indoor environment. Given the toxicity of some of the products identified, the study indicated that third-hand smoke could pose additional health risks.
1. L.M. Petrick, A. Svidovsky and Y. Dubowski, Environ. Sci. Technol., 45(1), 328–333 (2011).
AI and GenAI Applications to Help Optimize Purification and Yield of Antibodies From Plasma
October 31st 2024Deriving antibodies from plasma products involves several steps, typically starting from the collection of plasma and ending with the purification of the desired antibodies. These are: plasma collection; plasma pooling; fractionation; antibody purification; concentration and formulation; quality control; and packaging and storage. This process results in a purified antibody product that can be used for therapeutic purposes, diagnostic tests, or research. Each step is critical to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of the final product. Applications of AI/GenAI in many of these steps can significantly help in the optimization of purification and yield of the desired antibodies. Some specific use-cases are: selecting and optimizing plasma units for optimized plasma pooling; GenAI solution for enterprise search on internal knowledge portal; analysing and optimizing production batch profitability, inventory, yields; monitoring production batch key performance indicators for outlier identification; monitoring production equipment to predict maintenance events; and reducing quality control laboratory testing turnaround time.
2024 EAS Awardees Showcase Innovative Research in Analytical Science
November 20th 2024Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Washington, and other leading institutions took the stage at the Eastern Analytical Symposium to accept awards and share insights into their research.
