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

Author

Listed:
  • Marc W. Beutel

    (Environmental Systems Graduate Group, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA)

  • Thomas C. Harmon

    (Environmental Systems Graduate Group, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA)

  • Thomas E. Novotny

    (School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Jeremiah Mock

    (Institute for Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA)

  • Michelle E. Gilmore

    (Environmental Systems Graduate Group, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA)

  • Stephen C. Hart

    (Department of Life & Environmental Sciences and Sierra Nevada Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA)

  • Samuel Traina

    (Environmental Systems Graduate Group, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA)

  • Srimanti Duttagupta

    (School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Andrew Brooks

    (Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA)

  • Christopher L. Jerde

    (Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA)

  • Eunha Hoh

    (School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Laurie C. Van De Werfhorst

    (Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA)

  • Van Butsic

    (Environmental Science, Policy and Management Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Ariani C. Wartenberg

    (Environmental Science, Policy and Management Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Patricia A. Holden

    (Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc W. Beutel & Thomas C. Harmon & Thomas E. Novotny & Jeremiah Mock & Michelle E. Gilmore & Stephen C. Hart & Samuel Traina & Srimanti Duttagupta & Andrew Brooks & Christopher L. Jerde & Eunha Hoh &, 2021. "A Review of Environmental Pollution from the Use and Disposal of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes: Contaminants, Sources, and Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-25, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:12994-:d:686589
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. World Health Organization, 2017. "Tobacco and its environmental impact: an overview," University of California at San Francisco, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education qt8tp3r5rc, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, UC San Francisco.
    2. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303660_2 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. World Health Organization, 2019. "WHO TobReg: report on the scientific basis of tobacco product regulation: 7th report of a WHO study group," University of California at San Francisco, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education qt9rn580ss, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, UC San Francisco.
    4. Marynak, K.L. & Gammon, D.G. & Rogers, T. & Coats, E.M. & Singh, T. & King, B.A., 2017. "Sales of nicotine-containing electronic cigarette products: United States, 2015," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(5), pages 702-705.
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    Cited by:

    1. Monique Williams & Wentai Luo & Kevin McWhirter & Omeka Ikegbu & Prue Talbot, 2022. "Chemical Elements, Flavor Chemicals, and Nicotine in Unused and Used Electronic Cigarettes Aged 5–10 Years and Effects of pH," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-16, December.

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