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A preliminary investigation of associated chemicals in cigarette butt waste from the tourist beach area of North Jakarta, Indonesia
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Cigarette butts collected from a tourist beach in North Jakarta were found to contain a complex mixture of aliphatic and aromatic chemicals, despite the beach receiving regular cleaning. Because cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate — a persistent plastic-like material — this study highlights that cigarette butt litter is both a significant form of beach plastic pollution and a chemical contamination source in coastal environments.
Cigarette butts are among the most common and problematic forms of marine litter. However, there is limited research on the occurrence, abundance, and potential chemicals associated with cigarette butt waste in the environment. The study focused on investigating the occurrence, abundance, and chemical composition of cigarette butt waste on Ancol Beach, Jakarta, Indonesia, addressing a gap in knowledge regarding this prevalent and problematic form of marine litter. Despite Ancol Beach’s regular cleaning efforts, cigarette butt waste was still widespread with an abundance of 1.136 pcs/m 2 . However, this cigarette butt waste number is still less abundant compared to other regions. Chemical analysis of the cigarette butt waste revealed the presence of various chemical groups, notably aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding and mitigating the environmental repercussions of the chemicals associated with cigarette butt waste and microplastic particles on the coastal ecosystem. Further research is urged to delve deeper into the emerging chemical pollutants present in cigarette butt waste spread in the coastal environments.
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Quantitative assessment and spatial distribution of macroplastic and cigarette butt contamination in Bushehr's stormwater system near the sensitive Persian Gulf coast
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This study assessed the abundance and spatial distribution of macroplastics and cigarette butts across multiple sites, quantifying their contribution to environmental microplastic pollution as cellulose acetate filters degrade. Cigarette butts emerged as a significant and underappreciated source of plastic contamination in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
A Review of Environmental Pollution from the Use and Disposal of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes: Contaminants, Sources, and Impacts
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Researchers reviewed the environmental pollution caused by the use and disposal of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, including their role as a source of microplastic contamination. Cigarette butts made of cellulose acetate are minimally degradable and represent a major source of both bulk plastic and microplastic pollution, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. The study documents that cigarette butt leachate and nicotine are toxic to a wide range of organisms from microbes to mammals.
Spatio-temporal distribution of cigarette butt contamination in urban beaches with varying levels of use.
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Researchers assessed cigarette butt contamination on two urban beaches in Recife, Brazil over nine months, finding that contamination levels correlated with beach use intensity, with butts at varying degradation stages, and that brand composition varied temporally and spatially across sampling events.
Cigarette butts as a source of urban ecosystem pollution
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Cigarette butts—the world's most littered item at ~4.5 trillion discarded annually—introduce over 4,000 chemicals into ecosystems and are a major source of microplastic fibers from cellulose acetate filters, with this review analyzing the toxicity of cigarette butt filtrate to aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Research on the presence of cigarette butts and their leaching of chemical pollutants and microparticles: the case of Dalian, China
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This study quantified toxic substances (heavy metals, PAHs, and microplastics) leached from littered cigarette butts from major Chinese brands, providing data on the pollution contribution of cigarette butt litter in urban Chinese environments.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.