Get Rid Of This Living Room Carcinogen

An evil compound called NNA may be clinging to your walls, furniture and carpet. But you can and should avoid this toxin. Otherwise, it can lock on to your DNA and make you vulnerable to unexpected tumors and cancerous growths.

NNA results from leftover cigarette smoke (third-hand smoke) that clings to exposed surfaces in your home, car or office. This chemical is so dangerous to human health, that researcher Bo Hang, a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientist, argues: “The best argument for instituting a ban on smoking indoors is actually third-hand smoke.”

According to Hang, NNA is a chemical called a nitrosamine that can combine with your DNA to form a “bulky adduct” (a chunk of DNA stuck to a carcinogen).

This dangerous combination can break apart your DNA and start a cancerous process that forms tumors.

The worst risk is for young children who may crawl on contaminated floors and put contaminated items in their mouths. Because they are small and growing rapidly, they are in especial danger from the effects of these toxins.

Hang says that the most effective way to eliminate third-hand smoke is to remove affected items like carpets and couches, seal and repaint walls and, if feasible, replace contaminated wallboard. Replacing furniture is expensive, Hang admits. Alternatively, cleaning floors, vacuuming, and washing clothes, curtains, sheets and bedding can cut back on NNA.