Cinnaminson, NJ, February 17, 2017
Today, a number of municipalities prohibit tenants in multi-family properties from smoking as secondhand smoke is known to cause cancer and other respiratory issues. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that secondhand smoke, also referred to as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), contains more than 7,000 substances and that exposure causes approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in nonsmokers. The agency also states that exposure to ETS has been shown in a number of studies to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Back in 2010, information from a multi-institutional study that was led by researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was released that also looked into health dangers associated with third-hand smoke. Third-hand smoke refers to the residues left behind on most surfaces and objects after secondhand smoke has cleared. The study found that nicotine can remain on the surface of carpets, furniture, floors, walls and other materials for up to months after it was deposited. The study also found that nicotine residues could react with ambient nitrous acid and form carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines.
“Due to the growing concerns of many tenants and hotel guests to exposure to secondhand smoke and smoke residues, an increasing number of property managers and landlords have implemented smoke-free policies, even in places without government anti-smoking regulations,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Just as a property manager or landlord can restrict pets, they can often prohibit smoking in leased or rental properties if it is written into the agreement. Tenants who do not comply could potentially face a number of negative outcomes, including financial penalties and even eviction.”
Property managers, landlords, tenants and indoor environmental consultants looking to test for the possible presence of nicotine residues in a property can turn to EMSL Analytical, Inc. They offer comprehensive testing services and access to a Nicotine Smoke Contamination Test Kit.
To learn more about nicotine residue testing services or other indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental, health and safety services, please visit
www.EMSL.com, email
info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675. To obtain a Nicotine Smoke Contamination Test Kit or to learn more, please visit
www.EMSLTestKits.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria,
Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at
www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.