Although smoking is the most common method of cannabis use, the long-term health consequences of exposure to cannabis smoke remain relatively unknown. Nevertheless, cannabis smoke is known to contain carcinogens and respiratory irritants. It is also known to emit large amounts of a fine particular matter, which negatively affects cardiovascular and pulmonary health.
In the current study, researchers investigated the effects of in-home cannabis smoking with resident children’s exposure to cannabis smoke as measured by urinary biomarkers. To do so, they analyzed data from Project Fresh Air, a clinical trial conducted between 2012 and 2016 to reduce fine particulate matter levels.
The trial recruited households in San Diego County, California, that were home to children under the age of 14 years and an adult tobacco smoker. In-home cannabis smoking was assessed in various ways including parent or guardian self-reports and number of daily nonspecific smoking events computed via an air particle counting algorithm. Childrens' urine samples were analyzed in 2022.
A total of 275 children took part in the study. Altogether, 10.6% of households reported in-home cannabis smoking within the last 7 days, and 75 children had detectable urinary cannabinoids. Odds of detectable THC equivalents in urine samples were five times higher in households that reported in-home cannabis smoking than those that didn’t.
“As young children spend most of their time at home, reducing in-home cannabis smoking could substantially reduce their exposure to the toxic and carcinogenic chemicals found in cannabis smoke,” said study author Osika Tripathi, Ph.D., M.P.H., a recent graduate of the UC San Diego – San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, in a press release.
“As evidence regarding the health effects of cannabis grows, adopting strategies from the tobacco control playbook, such as comprehensive smoke-free laws and policies, could safeguard children’s health. Determining the long-term health risks of second-hand cannabis smoke exposure is the absolutely essential next step,” said study author John Bellettiere, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego in a press release.
Sources: EurekAlert, JAMA Network Open
