A new study shows cigarette filters, made of cellulose acetate, are a source of microplastic pollution. The researchers found a filter releases about 24 microfibers within 20 seconds. After ten days a single filter can release between 63 and 144 microfibers, depending on water movement, even though each filter contains more than 10,000 microfibers.
John D. Atkinson and Ghazal Vasseghi at the University at Buffalo ran 10-day laboratory experiments. They placed cigarette butts in still water (0 rpm) and in moving water (80 rpm and 200 rpm) to compare releases. The results appear in the Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics.
Using the experimental data, the team estimated that 71 million to 1.4 billion cigarette-butt microfibers enter New York waters every day. The researchers warned the fibers are easy for wildlife to ingest and can carry heavy metals, pathogens and PFAS. They suggested receptacles for butts and filters in storm sewers to reduce releases.
Difficult words
- cellulose acetate — a type of plastic used in many filters
- microplastic — very small plastic pieces that pollute water
- microfiber — a very thin plastic thread or fibermicrofibers
- ingest — to take food or objects into the body
- pathogen — a small organism that can cause diseasepathogens
- receptacle — a container used to collect or hold thingsreceptacles
- heavy metal — a dangerous metal that can harm living thingsheavy metals
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think your local area should provide receptacles for cigarette butts? Why or why not?
- What other simple actions could people or cities take to reduce microplastic release from cigarette filters?
- How could microfibers from cigarette filters affect animals in rivers or lakes near you?
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