Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics from cigarette filters on two aquatic species and in vitro human lung cells

Researchers assessed the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics derived from cigarette filters on two aquatic species and conducted in vitro tests for human cellular toxicity. Cigarette filter microplastics caused harm to both aquatic organisms and human cells, confirming them as a toxicologically relevant source.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics from cigarette filters on two aquatic species and in vitro human lung cells

Researchers examined the effects of microplastics from cigarette filters on two aquatic species and conducted in vitro cell tests to assess human health risks. Cigarette filter microplastics caused toxicity in both aquatic organisms and human cells, underscoring the environmental and health hazards of this overlooked microplastic source.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics from cigarette filters on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates

Researchers prepared microplastics from cellulose acetate cigarette filter material, both pristine and UV-aged, and tested their effects on Daphnia magna, Tenebrio molitor mealworm larvae, and Porcellio scaber terrestrial crustaceans. Short-term exposure slightly altered immune parameters in woodlice while longer exposures caused no immune changes, and mealworm energy-related traits were also affected, indicating invertebrate-specific and dose-dependent responses to cigarette filter-derived microplastics.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Cigarette butts as a microfiber source with a microplastic level of concern

Researchers investigated whether cigarette butts are a significant source of microfiber pollution by analyzing smoked and unsmoked filters. They found that cigarette filters release large quantities of cellulose acetate microfibers, with smoked filters releasing even more than unsmoked ones due to degradation during use. The study identifies discarded cigarette butts as an overlooked but substantial contributor to microplastic pollution in the environment.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 201 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics from cigarette filters: Comparative effects on selected terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates

Researchers compared the effects of microplastics from smoked and unsmoked cigarette filters on both land and water invertebrates. Smoked filter microplastics were more toxic due to the added chemicals from tobacco smoke, causing reduced survival and reproduction in the test organisms. Since cigarette butts are one of the most littered items worldwide, this study shows they are a significant and underappreciated source of toxic microplastic pollution in the environment.

2025 Environmental Pollution 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics from unsmoked and smoked cigarette filters on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates

Researchers exposed aquatic invertebrates (rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, water flea Daphnia magna) and terrestrial invertebrates (woodlice Porcellio scaber, mealworm Tenebrio molitor) to microplastics derived from both unsmoked and smoked cigarette filters at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 mg/L and assessed acute toxicity. The study found that cigarette butt-derived microplastics caused measurable adverse effects on multiple invertebrate species across both aquatic and terrestrial exposure routes.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Can Cigarette Butt-Derived Cellulose Acetate Nanoplastics Induce Toxicity in Allolobophora caliginosa? Immunological, Biochemical, and Histopathological Insights

Researchers tested the toxicity of nanoplastics derived from cigarette butts on earthworms, comparing smoked, unsmoked, and commercial cellulose acetate nanoparticles. The study found that all types of cigarette butt-derived nanoplastics caused immunological, biochemical, and tissue damage in the earthworms, with smoked cigarette butt nanoplastics showing the most severe toxic effects.

2026 Microplastics
Clinical Trial Tier 1

The Effect of Subchronic Polyethylene Microplastic Exposure on Pulmonary Fibrosis Through Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in Wistar Rats

This animal study found that breathing in polyethylene microplastics over several weeks led to lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) in rats by triggering inflammatory immune responses. The results suggest that chronic inhalation of airborne microplastics could contribute to serious lung damage in humans, since we breathe in thousands of plastic particles daily.

2025 Microplastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Cytotoxic Effects of Microplastics on Human Cells

This study reviewed and tested the cytotoxic effects of microplastics on human cells, finding that microplastic particles can cause cell damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress at relevant concentrations. The results support growing concern that microplastics ingested or inhaled by humans may pose direct health risks at the cellular level.

2021 DigiNole (Florida State University)
Article Tier 2

Cigarette filters as a major source of microfibers in aquatic environments.

This study found that discarded cigarette butts persistently release cellulose acetate microfibers into aquatic environments, identifying cigarette filters as a major and underappreciated source of microfiber pollution. The research quantified microfiber release rates under simulated environmental conditions.

2025 Scientific reports
Review Tier 2

A review of occurrence and concentrations of cellulose acetate and other artificial cellulose microfibers in aquatic environmental matrices: an indicator of cigarette butts’ contamination?

This review examines the occurrence of cellulose acetate microfibers in aquatic environments, primarily originating from discarded cigarette butts, which are among the most littered items worldwide. The authors found that cellulose acetate is one of the most frequently detected microfiber types in water, sediment, and marine organisms, with higher accumulations in sediment and bottom-dwelling animals. The study suggests that cellulose acetate levels could serve as an indicator of cigarette butt contamination in the environment.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellulose acetate cigarette filter is hazardous to human health

Researchers reviewed evidence on whether cellulose acetate cigarette filters provide any protective health benefit and their environmental impact as plastic waste. The study found persistent concerns that filters offer limited health protection while contributing significantly to environmental pollution, as discarded cigarette butts made from this plant-based plastic are a major source of toxic litter.

2023 Tobacco Control 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Microplastics on Cell Viability, Phagocytic Activity and Oxidative Stress in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Researchers exposed human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to four concentrations of polyethylene glycol and natural microplastics and measured cell viability, phagocytic activity, and oxidative stress. Higher microplastic concentrations reduced cell viability and phagocytic function while increasing oxidative stress markers, indicating that microplastics impair immune cell performance.

2025 Preprints.org
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics from unsmoked and smoked cigarette filters on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates

Researchers assessed the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics extracted from both unsmoked and smoked cigarette filters on aquatic invertebrates (rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, water flea Daphnia magna) and terrestrial invertebrates (woodlice Porcellio scaber, mealworm Tenebrio molitor) across a concentration range of 1-100 mg/L. The study found that smoked cigarette filter microplastics caused greater toxicity than those from unsmoked filters, likely due to the additional chemical contaminants deposited during smoking.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induce an immunometabolic active state in macrophages

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics taken up by macrophages — immune cells lining the gut and lungs — triggered a metabolic shift toward an inflammatory state. This finding suggests microplastics reaching human tissues may alter immune function in ways that could contribute to inflammation-related diseases.

2021 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Ecotoxicological effects of cellulose acetate nanoplastic derived from cigarette butts on earthworm (Allolobophora caliginosa): Implications for soil health

Researchers investigated how nanoplastics derived from cigarette butts, one of the most common forms of litter worldwide, affect earthworms in soil. Nanoplastics from smoked cigarette butts were the most toxic, causing increased mortality, growth suppression, DNA damage, and heightened oxidative stress compared to unsmoked or commercially produced cellulose acetate particles. The findings suggest that the combustion by-products absorbed by cigarette filters make their plastic waste significantly more harmful to soil organisms.

2025 Environmental Research 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Fate of nanoplastics in the environment: Implication of the cigarette butts

This study investigated cigarette butts as an underrecognized source of nanoplastic pollution, finding that cellulose acetate filters can fragment into nanoscale particles that disperse in the environment. Given the enormous volume of cigarette litter worldwide, butts may represent a significant and overlooked nanoplastic pathway.

2020 Environmental Pollution 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nano-plastics induce inflammation and cell death in human cells.

Human cell cultures exposed to micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) showed elevated inflammation markers and cell death, with effects varying by particle type and concentration. The study developed a novel extraction and staining technique to identify individual plastic types in complex mixtures, advancing methods for assessing human cellular toxicity.

2025 Frontiers in immunology
Article Tier 2

New Evidence of Microplastics in the Lower Respiratory Tract: Inhalation through Smoking

Researchers collected lung fluid samples from smokers and nonsmokers and found that smokers had significantly higher concentrations of microplastics in their lower respiratory tract. A laboratory smoking simulation confirmed that cigarette smoke itself carries microplastic particles, including polyurethane and silicone. The study identifies smoking as a previously unrecognized route of microplastic inhalation, adding to the known health concerns associated with tobacco use.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 77 citations
Article Tier 2

Detrimental effects of microplastic exposure on normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology

Researchers exposed both healthy and asthmatic mice to airborne microplastics and found significant lung inflammation, immune activation, and increased mucus production in both groups. Microplastic particles were taken up by immune cells called macrophages, and gene analysis revealed changes in immune response, cellular stress, and cell death pathways. The study suggests that inhaling microplastics may worsen respiratory health in both normal and vulnerable populations.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 207 citations
Article Tier 2

Smoked cigarette butts: Unignorable source for environmental microplastic fibers

Researchers highlight that discarded cigarette butts, made of cellulose acetate plastic, are an overlooked but major source of environmental microplastic fibers, with each butt containing over 15,000 detachable plastic strands. They estimate that approximately 300,000 tons of potential microplastic fibers from cigarette butts may enter aquatic environments annually. The study notes that these fibers also carry toxic substances like nicotine and carcinogenic compounds that can harm aquatic organisms.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 102 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of pulmonary inflammatory responses following intratracheal instillation of and inhalation exposure to polypropylene microplastics

Rats exposed to polypropylene microplastics through both inhalation and direct lung delivery developed inflammatory responses in their lungs, including increased immune cells and tissue changes. Even at relatively low concentrations, the microplastics triggered pulmonary inflammation, supporting concerns that breathing in airborne microplastics could contribute to respiratory health problems in humans.

2024 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in branded cigarettes: Characterization and potential burning inhalation risk assessment

Analysis of 21 domestic and international cigarette brands found microplastics present in filter materials, raising concern about inhalation exposure during smoking as an underrecognized route of human microplastic intake.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics from cigarette filters: Comparative effects on selected terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates

Researchers generated raw data comparing the effects of microplastics derived from cigarette filters on selected terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, supporting a published study in Environmental Pollution examining the comparative toxicity of cigarette filter-derived microplastics across different organism types.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)