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March 21, 2013 By News Staff
Answer: a portable secondhand smoke sensor
Dartmouth College researchers have invented the first-ever secondhand tobacco smoke sensor -- a sensor that records data in real time, and can detect thirdhand smoke, or nicotine off-gassing from clothing, furniture, car seats and other material, according to a press release.
The current prototype is smaller and lighter than a cellphone, but researchers expect to convert it into a wearable, affordable and reusable device that helps to enforce no smoking regulations and sheds light on the pervasiveness of secondhand smoke.
The device, according to the release, can pinpoint when and where the exposure occurred and even the number of cigarettes smoked. The prototype proved successful in lab tests, and clinical studies will start this summer.
"This is a leap forward in secondhand smoke exposure detection technology," said Chemistry Professor Joseph BelBruno, whose lab conducted the research.
Federal health officials report that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which increases the risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease and childhood illness. An estimated 88 million nonsmoking Americans, including 54 percent of children ages 3 years, are exposed to secondhand smoke.
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Kudos to these people to develop a device to measure second handsmoke that is portable. But hey, c'mon, where is common sense in all of this? We hear all the time how harmful second hand smoke is, where is the common sense to stay away from it in the first place as best we can? Do we really need a device to let us know we are exposed to second hand smoke when we walk through the cloud of smoke and smell it in restaurants? Wake up America, we are becoming entirely too dependent on technology in our lives where common sense should be.
Well Doc, it must be wonderful to be able to transport yourself away from the smoke whenever you want, but I'm not sure that technology is invented yet for the rest of us. Maybe you could share it? You'll be a hero! The reality is that most people can't avoid second hand smoke in many public situations.
I agree, DMc. No matter how hard I try to avoid smoke in public places, it's not always possible. Smokers often light up right outside the entrances to many stores, and though I hold my breath while walking by, I can't determine the exact moment at which I am back in fresh, smoke-free air (I wish I could). So I do think such a device would make it easier to know just how much secondhand smoke you're being exposed to, and how far to walk away to truly escape it.