Cigarette Butts Research Articles

Study of pollution status in urban environment caused by attitude and waste littering behavior of citizens

Littering behavior is one of the main challenges in waste management, especially in big cities. In this study, density and composition of litter in Tehran was investigated and the urban pollution status was calculated by using the clean environment index. The results showed that the average density of litter in the studied locations was 0.182 number/m2. Spatial variation in the litter density showed that the average density in commercial and residential land-uses was 0.22 and 0.14 number/m2, respectively. Cigarette butts (29%), bottle caps (18%), and paper receipts (10%) consisted the largest ratio of the litter composition in the studied locations. Clean environment index for the studied locations was calculated in the range of 2.34 to 10.42. Based on this, 30% of the studied locations were in a clean status and 70% were in a polluted and worse status. The litter density in the city, interviews with citizens, and the results of previous studies showed insufficient awareness of citizens about the consequences of littering in the urban environment, which led to the prevalence of littering behavior. So, the littering behavior by citizens has caused the urban environment pollution and increased health risk. Educating citizens and modifying their behavior to avoid littering is necessary to improve the observed status.

Nitrosamine and nicotine exposure after switching from filtered to unfiltered cigarette smoking: a cross-over clinical trial

BackgroundThe cellulose acetate filter is a plastic attachment on nearly all commercial cigarettes sold worldwide. It is the main component of discarded cigarette butts, and the most prevalent waste item...

Deep Neural Network-Based Cigarette Filter Defect Detection System with FPGA Acceleration for Online Recognition

In the cigarette manufacturing industry, machine vision and artificial intelligence algorithms have been employed to improve production efficiency by detecting product defects. However, achieving both high accuracy and real-time defect detection for cigarettes with complex patterns remains a challenge. To address these issues, this study proposes a model based on RESNET18, combined with a feature enhancement algorithm, to improve detection accuracy. Additionally, a method is designed to deploy the model on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) with high parallel processing capabilities to achieve high-speed detection. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed detection model achieves a detection accuracy of 95.88% on a cigarette filter defect dataset with an end-to-end detection speed of only 9.38 ms.

Cellulose Acetates in Hydrothermal Carbonization: A Green Pathway to Valorize Residual Bioplastics.

Bioplastics possess the potential to foster a sustainable circular plastic economy, but their end-of-life is still challenging. To sustainably overcome this problem, this work proposes the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of residual bioplastics as an alternative green path. The focus is on cellulose acetate - a bioplastic used for eyewear, cigarette filters and other applications - showing the proof of concept and the chemistry behind the conversion, including a reaction kinetics model. HTC of pure and commercial cellulose acetates was assessed under various operating conditions (180-250 °C and 0-6 h), with analyses on the solid and liquid products. Results show the peculiar behavior of these substrates under HTC. At 190-210 °C, the materials almost completely dissolve into the liquid phase, forming 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and organic acids. Above 220 °C, intermediates repolymerize into carbon-rich microspheres (secondary char), achieving solid yields up to 23 %, while itaconic and citric acid form. A comparison with pure substrates and additives demonstrates that the amounts of acetyl groups and derivatives of the plasticizers are crucial in catalyzing HTC reactions, creating a unique environment capable of leading to a total rearrangement of cellulose acetates. HTC can thus represent a cornerstone in establishing a biorefinery for residual cellulose acetate.

Innovative upcycling cigarette filters into high-performance cellulose nanofiber-epoxy composites

This research introduces a novel upcycling method for transforming cigarette filters—an abundant and persistent environmental waste—into high-performance epoxy composites reinforced with cellulose nanofibers. The innovation lies in extracting cellulose acetate nanofibers from used cigarette butts via a multi-step purification and electrospinning process, followed by their conversion into regenerated cellulose nanofibers through alkaline hydrolysis. This dual-fiber approach allows us to fabricate four distinct epoxy composites, each reinforced by different nanofiber types: recycled cellulose acetate nanofibers, regenerated cellulose nanofibers from recycled cigarette filters, and their commercial counterparts. Notably, this is the first time regenerated nanofibers derived from waste cigarette filters have been utilized for epoxy composite reinforcement, demonstrating a sustainable, high-value use for a major pollutant. Comprehensive characterizations, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, and contact angle measurements, confirmed the successful regeneration of cellulose nanofibers, showing improved hydrophilicity, reduced crystallinity, and uniform nanofiber morphology with diameters between 200 and 300 nm. The innovation further extends to the mechanical performance of these composites: tensile tests revealed that those reinforced with regenerated cellulose nanofibers exhibited superior tensile strength (49.5–53.8 MPa), significantly outperforming both cellulose acetate nanofiber composites (40.1–42.6 MPa) and neat epoxy resin (31.4 MPa). This marked improvement is attributed to enhanced nanofiber dispersion and interfacial adhesion within the epoxy matrix, an essential advancement over traditional composites. In addition, thermal analysis showed that all composites maintained thermal stability in the 300–400 °C range, comparable to commercial alternatives. The regenerated nanofiber-reinforced composites also displayed enhanced optical transparency due to reduced light scattering, making them ideal candidates for applications requiring both mechanical strength and optical clarity. By pioneering the use of cigarette filter waste for fabricating advanced cellulose nanofiber composites, this study presents an eco-friendly approach to addressing environmental pollution while creating sustainable materials with superior mechanical, thermal, and optical properties.

Citric acid modification in fabrication of composite aerogels from cigarette butts and chitosan for enhancing dye removal efficiency

Citric acid modification in fabrication of composite aerogels from cigarette butts and chitosan for enhancing dye removal efficiency

Alarming cigarette butts contamination on sandy beaches of East Java, Indonesia.

Cigarette butts, along with other plastic items, have been extensively studied as the primary source of marine litter in coastal areas around the world. Although there has been extensive research on cigarette butts in coastal areas worldwide, there have been no publications related to this in coastal areas in Indonesia. Therefore, this research is the first to report on the pollution of cigarette butts on different Indonesian beaches, specifically in the East Java Province. The study aimed to assess the abundance, size distribution, and pollution levels associated with cigarette butts from 15 different beaches. Cigarette butts were collected using a 5 × 5m quadrate transect, placed 20m apart along the coastline from December 2022 to August 2023. The collectedcigarette butts were counted andmeasured in three different sizes: 0.5-2.5cm, 2.5-5cm, and 5-10cm. A total of 323 cigarette butts were collected, with densities ranging from 0.08 to 3.32 items m-2. The majority of butts were classified as meso-size (0.5-2.5cm), suggesting incomplete smoking and a higher potential for toxin release. The Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI) revealed a spectrum of pollution levels, from low to severe, with most beaches exhibiting severe pollution. Factors such as negligent smoking behavior, inadequate waste management infrastructure, and beach environmental conditions were identified as key contributors to this pollution. This study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies, including public awareness campaigns, improved waste management, and beach clean-ups, to mitigate the environmental impact of cigarette butt pollution on Indonesian beaches.

Lattice matching strategy in Cu-based oxides for large-scale and long-term thermochemical energy storage

Redox-active metal oxides, particularly Cu-based oxide, are noteworthy for their economic feasibility and potential as a recyclable, zero-carbon energy source. These materials are poised to serve as a sustainable solution for large-scale and long-term thermochemical energy storage (TCES), thereby mitigating the intermittency challenges inherent in renewable energy systems. However, a significant impediment to their performance is the materials sintering at elevated temperatures, which precipitate a decline in cyclic reversibility, often manifesting even within the initial cycle of operation. To counteract this limitation, we proposed an innovative approach that leverages the concept of lattice matching, augmented by the incorporation of cigarette butts in the synthesis process to fabricate a Cu-Ce heterogeneous interface. This matched lattice preserved the integrity of the TCES material's porous architecture. Additionally, the lattice oxygen within this composite exhibits a transferability. Even after a prolonged period of two years under ambient air conditions, the TCES material retains the capacity to discharge a remarkable 99.4 % of its adsorbed energy. Furthermore, over the course of 600 cycles, the system's stability is remarkably preserved at 98–100 %, and reversible loss of pure CuO is ∼40 % within the initial cycle. Given these attributes, this TCES material emerges as a promising candidate for industrial applications.

Cigarette filters: a benchmarking investigation of thermal and chemical attributes

Cigarette filters: a benchmarking investigation of thermal and chemical attributes

A new proposal to reduce microplastics from cigarette butts: Production of eco-friendly fired clay bricks

It is estimated that approximately 1.2 million tons of cigarette butts (CBs) are introduced into the environment annually. The aim of this work is to analyze the incorporation of shredded CBs into bricks making by extrusion, for recycling and waste recovery purposes. Samples were prepared in compositions of 0 %, 1 %, 2.5 % and 5 % w/w CBs and fired at 700 ºC, 900 ºC and 1000 ºC. Density, water absorption, apparent porosity, linear firing shrinkage, flexural strength, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, diffusivity and sound transmission loss (TL) were determined. A total of 180 samples were taken, and a Weibull statistical analysis was performed for compressive strength. The results showed a decrease in density and an increase in water absorption and apparent porosity of the clay bricks produced by mixing 1–5 % CBs compared to the control bricks. Firing shrinkage decreased with 1 % CBs and up to 2.5 %, its was lower than standard samples. Samples with CBs showed fewer cracks than standard samples. Compressive strength increased with 1 % CBs incorporation for firing temperatures of 900ºC and 1000ºC compared to standard samples. It gradually decreased with larger amounts of waste. For flexural strength, up to 2.5 % CBs, the strength increased in most cases. In addition, there was an improvement in the thermal conductivity of bricks prepared with 5 % CBs and fired at 700ºC and 900ºC (0.46–0.58 W/mK) compared to the reference samples (0.51–0.76 W/mK). All waste samples showed higher TL than the reference pieces. Above 2.5 % CBs, TL decreased, but remained larger than the reference. Thus, the results showed that the use of CBs in fired clay bricks in amounts of up to 5 % w/w is capable of forming porosity in the samples, making the part lighter, in addition to possibly reducing thermal conductivity and sound transmission, being an economical and sustainable alternative for the final disposal of CBs.

Release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from cigarette butts into the aquatic environment: Levels and ecotoxicity

Discarded cigarette waste may leach toxic elements and can contaminate different environments. In this study, the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in cigarette butts (CBs) leachates were determined, and the release rate of these pollutants from three CBs types such as smoked CBs with and without tobacco (SCBs and SFs) and unsmoked filters (USFs) were examined. The mean concentration levels of PCBs compounds were <LOD-1.36, <LOD-1.02 and <LOD-0.86 μg/L in SCBs, SFs, and USFs leachates, respectively. The concentrations of OCPs in SCBs and SFs leachates were <LOD-0.14 and <LOD-0.10 μg/L, respectively. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) of the dioxin-like PCBs from the CBs leachate samples ranged from 2×10-6-1×10-4 ng/L. Notwithstanding the insignificant TEQ values in CBs leachates, continuous discharge and the toxicities of the PCBs in the aquatic environments could have harmfully impacts on the the water boddies and/or human health. Globally, considering all the littered CBs and their chemical contents, further efforts are needed to investigate address, and mitigate this type of contamination.

Waste cigarette filters-based polymer blends membrane for filtration of high loaded natural organic matter river water

Waste cigarette filter (WCF) is one of the most common wastes found in the environment. Cigarette filters contain up to 96% cellulose acetate (CA), which can be used as a material for membrane fabrication. However, the CA-based membrane from WCF posed a weak mechanical property (brittle). Therefore, the objective of this work is to improve mechanical property of CA-based membrane from WCF by preparing blend membranes with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer and evaluate their performance for filtration of real river water containing high natural organic matter (NOM) concentrations. The variations of WCF and PVDF used were 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100. The membranes were then characterized to determine the morphology, pore size and pore size distribution, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and filtration performance of the membrane using clean water and river water. The SEM test results showed the presence of spherulites on the surface of the blend membrane, indicating that crystallization occurred during membrane formation. The spherulites resulted in smaller pore size, narrower pore size distribution, higher hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the filtration test results showed that blend membranes produced higher permeability compared to pristine WCF, PVDF, and commercial-based CA membranes, where the result of river water permeability was in the range of 875–1062.5 L/m2.h.bar. The membrane fouling formation was aligned well with the result of permeability and is dominated by irreversible fouling formation from the dynamic cake layer built on the membrane surface, with NOM rejections of 26.6–33.8%, suggesting the need for further developments.

Negative effects of cigarette butt leachate on freshwater phytoplankton communities.

We experimentally tested the effects of different concentrations of cigarette butt leachate on freshwater phytoplankton chlorophyll-a, species richness, cell density, and community composition. For this, we sampled the phytoplankton from a eutrophic lake and acclimated it for 24 h in microcosms. We then conducted the experiment in microcosms maintained for 96 h. The experiment consisted of four treatments: control and leachate from 1 butt L-1 (T1), 5 butts L-1 (T5), and 10 butts L-1 (T10), which were prepared by diluting a stock solution of leachate from 50 butts L-1. We found that algal chlorophyll-a content was not affected by different leachate concentrations. In contrast, phytoplankton cell density decreased in a dose-dependent manner as concentrations of the leachate increased. Similarly, the number of species was highest in the control group relative to all other treatments, with T1 and T5 showing higher species richness than T10. Additionally, the exposition to different concentrations of the leachate impacted community composition across all treatments in comparison to the control group. Our results suggest that cigarette butt leachate alters the number of cells and species, as well as the distribution of abundance, without necessarily reducing chlorophyll-a concentrations. Our findings indicate that to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of cigarette butt leachate on freshwater ecosystems, it is essential to evaluate more realistic scenarios that incorporate aquatic communities, rather than isolated species.

An overview on analytical methods and the occurrence of organic pollutants in cigarette litter

Cigarette litter, such as cigarette ash, cigarette butts, and cigarette butt leachates, can contain organic pollutants similar to those in cigarette smoke, but studies on these waste types are still relatively limited. This review article compiles information from studies published over the past four decades on organic pollutants in cigarette ash, cigarette butts, and leachates from cigarette butts, to provide insights into quantitatively analytical methods and the presence of these toxicants in cigarette litter. The main organic pollutants found in cigarette litter include: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nicotine, and aromatic amines. Gas chromatography or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection have been the most frequently used methods to characterize organic pollutants in cigarette litter. Toxic substances in improperly disposed cigarette waste can pollute the environment through evaporation into the air or leakage through leachates into the water environment, seepage into soil, accumulate in sediment, and cause negative effects on organisms. Further studies on analytical method development, pollution monitoring, and risk assessment related to organic pollutants in cigarette waste are needed.

Highly effective grafting of poly(l-lactide) onto cellulose by microwave heating in a CO2 switchable solvent for the fabrication of biodegradable cigarette smoke adsorbent material

In this study, a CO2 switching solvent was used to dissolve cellulose, and then poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) side chain was grafted onto cellulose backbone by ring-opening polymerization of lactide under microwave heating to realize the rapid and efficient synthesis of cellulose-graft-poly(l-lactide) (C-g-PLLA). The efficiency of this method is significantly greater than that of the traditional oil bath heating system. The structure and properties of C-g-PLLA were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, Proton nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis, and Differential scanning calorimetry. More importantly, C-g-PLLA can be rapidly degraded in both compost and lake water. It also showed good adsorption capacity for nicotine comparable to the commercial cigarette filters made from cellulose acetate. Overall, a rapid and efficient method for preparing C-g-PLLA was proposed, and the feasibility of its application in degradable cigarette smoke adsorption materials was demonstrated.

Marine macrolitter and cigarette butts hazard multiple-use marine protected area and fishing community at Brazil

Wide marine litter (ML) contamination impacts human health and economic sectors including fishing, navigation, and tourism. Perequê beach, Brazil, is an authentic fishing community within a touristic multiple-use marine protected area. However, no ML contamination monitoring were so far performed in the region. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal abundance, composition, sources, and associated ML hazards at Perequê beach using a multi-index approach. The 2579 items (0.64 ± 0.72 items.m−2) yielded a high contamination level (CCI = 12.6 ± 14.4) with plastic (44.6–50.9 %) and cigarette butts (20.6–28.4 %) prevalence, while primary sources were smoking (cigarette butts, lighters, others-21.2–30.1 %) and packaging (17.8–22.8 %). Levels of pollutants leaked from cigarette butts (CBPI = 30.5 ± 47.5) and hazardous items (HALI = 3.06 ± 2.64) were among the highest globally. Heightened levels occurred in summer, at dry sand strip, where short-term buoyant items prevailed. Multi-indexing approaches offer valuable insights for local authorities to implement mitigation programs, while contributing to global discussions, promoting awareness, and facilitating replicability.

Development and Implementation of a Portable Cigarette Filter Holes Recognition Device Based on Low-Power Image Sensor and High-Precision Coaxial Rotary Scanning

During the cigarette production process, the detection of holes in the filters presents an urgent challenge for manufacturers. Utilizing image sensors offers an effective solution to tackle this challenge effectively. While current detection devices mitigate this issue through the use of auxiliary light source technology and sophisticated deep learning image processing, they are often large-scale, stationary, and demand substantial computational resources. To overcome this limitation, a low-power battery-powered portable filter holes detection device is designed based on image processing to facilitate portability and sampling. Additionally, backlight transmission lighting components are employed to guarantee aperture definition after imaging. Furthermore, a filter holes recognition algorithm is proposed based on multi-threshold combination of computer vision (CV). The algorithm forms a plan view of the circumference of the cigarette by image stitching, then performs filter holes detection and filters the results. Experimental results show that operators can easily carry the device for sampling and testing, and can accurately perform filter holes detection, and the results provide valuable insights into the adjustment of system parameters in the cigarette production process. This device significantly aids in enhancing efficiency during the manual inspection processes both in the testing room and at the equipment stations.

Marine litter along the Peruvian coast: spatiotemporal composition, sources, hazard, and human modification relations.

Marine litter (ML) represents an escalating environmental issue, particularly in Latin America, where comprehensive studies are scarce despite critical solid waste management challenges and continuous human modification occurring on the coasts. To contribute to the knowledge of ML in the southeast Pacific, this study examined contamination across 10 beaches on Peru's extensive coast. Overall, ML contamination was categorized as moderate (with an ML concentration of 0.49 ± 0.64 items∙m-2), while significantly differing between summer (dirty with an ML concentration of 0.56 ± 0.66 items∙m-2) and winter (moderate with an ML concentration of 0.47 ± 0.60 items∙m-2). Three beaches were extremely dirty (concentrations of ML exceeded 1.0 items∙m-2). Predominant materials, items, and sources were plastic, cigarette butts (CBs), and mixed packaging. The Peruvian coast faced CB leachate impact (CBPI = 3.5 ± 3.5), reaching severe levels on two beaches, with considerable hazardous litter (HALI = 3.0 ± 2.9). Additionally, a higher degree of human modification was associated with higher ML levels along the coast.

Acetic acid production via the catalytic conversion of triacetin over Al-MCM-41 and the pyrolysis of cellulose acetate in waste cigarette filters

This study was conducted to establish the optimal pyrolysis process for producing high-yield and high-purity acetic acid (AA) from waste cigarette butts (CBs). The waste cigarette filters (CFs) were collected from CBs by shredding and sieving before pyrolysis. The non-isothermal pyrolysis of waste CF was studied using evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) and double-shot pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) with tandem μ-reactor-GC/MS (TMR-GC/MS). EGA-MS of waste CF could differentiate the thermal desorption zones of tobacco additives, such as triacetin and glycerol tricaprylate, from the AA generation zone via cellulose acetate (CA) pyrolysis. The non-isothermal pyrolysis of CA, fresh CF, and waste CF from 100 °C to 400 °C at 20 °C/min resulted in AA as the primary product, with yields of 39.2 %, 34.8 %, and 36.2 %, respectively, along with the formation of additives, such as triacetin (8.8 wt% from waste CF) and glycerol tricaprylate as the main impurity. Despite the potential catalytic conversion of triacetin to AA using a mesoporous catalyst, Al-MCM-41 (SiO2/Al2O3: 25), the catalytic pyrolysis of waste CF did not enhance the high AA yield because of the additional conversion of AA, produced from CA in waste CF, into light hydrocarbons, reducing the AA yield. Finally, the optimized conditions for the highest quantity and quality AA production, achieving a total yield of 40.0 %, were determined to be a two-step selective catalytic conversion: 1) catalytic thermal desorption up to 300 °C using Al-MCM-41 at 350 °C and 2) non-catalytic pyrolysis for CA conversion from 301 °C to 400 °C of waste CF.

Improper disposal of cigarette butts in a southeast Asian megacity (Hanoi, Vietnam): Pollution indexes, distribution profiles, and preliminary physicochemical characterization

Although Southeast Asia is among the largest producers and consumers of cigarettes in the world, information about environmental contamination with littered cigarette butts (CBs) in this region is very limited, especially in urban areas. In this study, we collected CBs in 58 locations of 6 categories (i.e., parks, apartments, streets, shopping malls, universities, and relic sites) in Hanoi, a megacity of Vietnam, to elucidate the occurrence, pollution levels, and physicochemical properties of this specific waste type. A total of 25,943 CBs with 86 brands from 16 origin countries was obtained, showing a density range of 0.0056 to 1.16 (mean 0.125) CB/m2 and cigarette butt pollution index (CBPI) range of 0.23 to 86.9 (mean 6.14). CB contamination levels were higher in parks, apartments, streets, and shopping malls than in universities and relic sites, but CB density and CBPI values varied greatly between locations of the same category. Generally, CB contamination levels measured in Hanoi were within a moderate range compared to other countries worldwide. Several physicochemical properties of CBs were preliminarily determined, which partly confirmed the formation of smoking-derived chemicals captured in CBs and their release potentials into surrounding environments. Further investigations are required to evaluate detailed chemical profiles, leaching behavior, and toxic effects of hazardous substances in CBs.