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Letter to the Editor Regarding: “An Imperative Need for Research on the Role of Environmental Factors in Transmission of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)” —Secondhand and Thirdhand Smoke As Potential Sources of COVID-19
Due to the strict but necessary mandated social isolation imposed across the globe to decrease the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the current prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and combustible tobacco use indoors will likely exceed pre-COVID-19 rates. The Viewpoint by Qu et al., entitled “An Imperative Need for Research on the Role of Environmental Factors in Transmission of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)”1 underscores the complexity of transmission routes of COVID-19. Of paramount concern is transmission from asymptomatic but infected caregivers via secondhand aerosol (SHA) from e-cigarettes and secondhand smoke (SHS) from combustible tobacco products to the most vulnerable groups—individuals who are older and individuals with comorbidities.2 Moreover, while emerging evidence suggests younger children do not have as severe COVID-19 related health outcomes as older adults,3 children are another vulnerable group that may contract the virus and subsequently become vectors of COVID-19, as they have high exposure rates to SHA and SHS.4 Since older and younger populations may have limited mobility and independence, they represent a group that may involuntarily become infected by their adult caregivers who have now eschewed previously implemented smoking bans or increased their use of nicotine/tobacco products.
In homes of vapers or smokers, coronaviruses with diameters of just 0.1 μm5 may attach to larger SHA and SHS particles and droplets which have median mass aerodynamic diameters of 0.2–0.5 μm.6 Since viral-laden aerosols generated from exhalations, coughs, and sneezes can travel 23–27 feet,7 aerosols and smoke generated from e-cigarettes and cigarettes may be sources of COVID-19. Given that viral loads in aerosols may survive for hours and land on surfaces on which COVID-19 remains viable for days,8 SHA and SHS may increase the reach and transmission of COVID-19 in smokers’ homes to older and younger household members.
Vaping and smoking in homes may pose risks days later as well. This is because after SHA and SHS dissipates, thirdhand aerosol (THA) and thirdhand smoke (THS) settles in dust and on surfaces. Qu et al.’s viewpoint highlights airborne dust as a source to which coronaviruses can adsorb.1 Dust may contain THS particles that are larger than coronaviruses (median diameter of 0.3 μm).9 Thus, THA and THS may harbor COVID-19. There is evidence that coronaviruses can remain infectious for 9 days on inanimate surfaces10 and this may also hold true in dust. Infants and toddlers are at risk for THA and THS exposure as they are in close bodily contact with their caregivers and are actively exploring their environments. They may touch, inhale, pick up, or ingest THA or THS-infected particles, become infected, and subsequently infect older, at-risk family members.2 Older adults are at risk of direct exposure from the secondhand route of inhalation and from thirdhand routes of inhalation, dermal transfer, and ingestion4 from dust and objects (e.g., wheelchairs) which harbor infected fomites. Thus, there is an urgent need to avoid all indoor vaping/smoking to (1) prevent viral spread via exhaled mainstream smoke on which COVID-19 “hitches a ride” and (2) protect vulnerable nonsmokers from exposure to COVID-infected SHA/SHS and THA/THS.
Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies (NIH Grant Number R01ES030743), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH Grant Number K01DA044313), and California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP 28PT-0078).
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
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