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Weathering Effects on Cellulose Acetate Microplastics from Discarded Cigarette Butts
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Cigarette filter fibers made from cellulose acetate — including newer heated tobacco product filters — fragment into microplastics during environmental weathering, shrinking in particle size after UV exposure. While thermal properties changed after aging, the chemical fingerprint (FTIR) remained largely the same, meaning the particles persist in nature. This matters because billions of cigarette butts are discarded each year, making them one of the most common sources of hard-to-degrade microplastic fibers in the environment.
Abstract: Cellulose acetate, commonly used in cigarette filters, poses environmental concerns due to its questionable (bio)degradability and prevalent presence in nature. This study compares the weathering effects on two types of cigarette filters: traditional and newer filters used in heated tobacco devices (HTP). Microplastics were derived from used cigarette parts and then subjected to artificial aging. Analytical techniques (Thermogravimetry-Differential Scanning Calorimetry TG/DSC, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis (FTIR)) and loose bulk density measurements were employed pre- and post-aging cellulose acetate of both types of samples. Despite in-creasing evidence influencing European Union (EU) directives on tobacco product disposal, there's a lack of systematic analysis on the weathering impact, especially concerning the touted environmental benefits of newer filters. Results indicate de-creased particle size in cellulose acetate filters post-aging. Variances were observed in thermal behavior, yet FTIR spectra remained unchanged. Keywords: Cellulose acetate; Cigarette filters; Microplastics; Artificial weathering; UV radiation impact, Polymer degradation
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