A Review of Environmental Pollution from the Use and Disposal of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes: Contaminants, Sources, and Impacts

Abstract

While the impacts of cigarette smoking on human health are widely known, a less recognized impact of tobacco product use and disposal is environmental pollution. This review discusses the current literature related to cigarette and e-cigarette contamination in the context of environmental sources and impacts, with a focus on the documented influences on biota, ranging from bacteria to mammals. Cigarette butts and electronic cigarette components can leach contaminants into soil, water, and air. Cellulose acetate cigarette filters comprising the butts are minimally degradable and are a source of bulk plastic and microplastic pollution, especially in aquatic ecosystems where they tend to accumulate. Cigarette combustion and aerosol production during e-cigarette use result in air contamination from sidestream, exhaled, and thirdhand pathways. The chemical byproducts of tobacco product use contaminate wastewater effluents, landfill leachates, and urban storm drains. The widespread detection of nicotine and cotinine in the environment illustrates the potential for large-scale environmental impacts of tobacco product waste. Studies show that cigarette butt leachate and nicotine are toxic to microbes, plants, benthic organisms, bivalves, zooplankton, fish, and mammals; however, there remain critical knowledge gaps related to the environmental impacts of tobacco product waste on environmental health and ecosystem functioning.

Chemical Elements, Flavor Chemicals, and Nicotine in Unused and Used Electronic Cigarettes Aged 5–10 Years and Effects of pH

“…CB filters, which collect harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke, often end up in storm drains, wastewater treatment centers, rivers, streams, and on beaches, locations where chemicals can leach into the environment [ 57 ]. Extracts and leachates from CBs and first-generation ECs have toxic effects on microorganisms and wildlife [ 55 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ], and produced teratogenic effects in Xenopus embryos, with ECs being less harmful than CBs in both studies [ 58 ]. The concentrations of metals (aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, titanium, zinc) in CB leachates increased over time.…”

“…The concentrations of copper, lead, nickel, and zinc were higher in the aged unused and used e-liquids than in unsmoked and smoked CB leachates ( Table S11 ) [ 62 ], reflecting the difference in metal composition of these two types of tobacco products. These data are important, as the toxic metals and nicotine (a toxicant) from ECs and CBs could leach into the environment after disposal [ 61 , 63 , 64 ]. Our observed decrease in nicotine concentrations and low concentrations of flavor chemicals are consistent with losses from fluids during storage and suggest that discarded EC products could contribute to environmental pollution.…”

Chemical Elements, Flavor Chemicals, and Nicotine in Unused and Used Electronic Cigarettes Aged 5-10 Years and Effects of pH

“…The concentrations of copper, lead, nickel, and zinc were higher in the aged unused and used e-liquids than in unsmoked and smoked CB leachates (Table S11) [62], reflecting the difference in metal composition of these two types of tobacco products. These data are important, as the toxic metals and nicotine (a toxicant) from ECs and CBs could leach into the environment after disposal [61,[63][64]…”

“…CB filters, which collect harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke, often end up in storm drains, wastewater treatment centers, rivers, streams, and on beaches where chemicals can leach into the environment.[57]. Extracts and leachates from CBs and first-generation ECs have toxic effects on microorganisms and wildlife[55,[58][59][60][61][62]. Leachates and extracts from CBs and EC cartridges inhibited the growth of 12 species of microorganisms in wastewater treatment facilities[58] and produced teratogenic effects in Xenopus embryos with ECs being less harmful…”

Using MPOWER policies to address tobacco impact on the environment

“…It is now well established that the entire tobacco production and consumption chain harms the environment. (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) Although research continues to emerge documenting the extent of the negative impact of tobacco products, as well as electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems, on the environment, and the associated costs of this impact, the evidence is sufficient to warrant a discussion of a range of policies to mitigate current and prevent future harms to the environment caused by these products.…”