1
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Mohammadi H, Zardosht Z, Moein H, Hassani G. The effect of climatic variables and techno-structural factors on the water pollution caused by nicotine leakage from littered cigarette butts. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:43704-43711. [PMID: 38907063 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34049-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Nicotine is one of the main pollutants in cigarette smoke that trapped in the filter. Nicotine leakage from cigarette butts is one of the concerns associated with this hazardous waste. In this study, the concentration of nicotine leaked from cigarette butts into the urban environment was investigated under the influence of three parameters including rainfall, density, and the durability of the littered cigarette butt. The leakage of nicotine into the environment was estimated in six scenarios based on the difference in the durability of cigarette butts in the urban environment and the humidity ratio. The results showed that the density of littered cigarette butts was 0.0019-0.294 number/m2. The density of littered cigarette butts in residential land-use was 52.38% lower than commercial land-use. Nicotine leakage from cigarette butts in commercial, residential, and recreational land-uses was 1.1, 0.484, and .0065 mg/m2, respectively. In the studied scenarios, in the best and worst case, 335,070 and 481,950 gr/year of nicotine will leak from the cigarette butt into the water resources. Considering that cigarette butts are a serious source of toxins including nicotine to the environment, control measures are necessary to reduce its density in the urban environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran
| | - Zahra Zardosht
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Hossein Moein
- Department of Environmental Health, Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ghasem Hassani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
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2
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Morovati M, Parsa S, Panahande M, Hossaini Motlagh A, Parseh I. Study of the impact of structural factors and cleaning efficiency in reducing hazardous litter density and its related pollution in urban environment. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13934. [PMID: 38886518 PMCID: PMC11183163 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64645-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cigarette filter is the most common hazardous litter that contains many pollutants including PAHs. The durability of this litter in the urban environment has an important effect on the rate of pollutant leakage. In this study, the leakage rate of PAHs from the littered cigarette filters was estimated by considering the affecting parameters on their durability in the urban environment. The results showed that the density of littered cigarette filters in the studied locations was 0.00048-0.13563 g/m2. The maximum spatial variation of the littered cigarette filter was 225 times. The average leakage of the total studied PAHs was estimated to be 2.048 µg/10 m2. The impact of structural factors and efficiency of urban cleaning in the estimated leakage was at most 2.4 times. It is necessary to change the behavior of citizens in littering the cigarette filter, considering its durability in the urban environment, to reduce the environmental and health consequences caused by the leakage of PAHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Morovati
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
| | - Sheida Parsa
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, California State University, Northridge, USA
| | - Maryam Panahande
- Environmental Research Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Rasht, Iran.
| | - Amin Hossaini Motlagh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
| | - Iman Parseh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Behbahan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran
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3
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Howlader M, Selim A, Shohan MH, Shuvo SNA, Al-Humaidi JY, Islam MM, Shaibur MR, Althomali RH, Akter N, Afrin S, Sultana T, Singha SK, Betto ZS, Rahman MM. Exploring cigarette butts pollution in Saint Martin Island: A marine protected area. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116439. [PMID: 38718549 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Saint Martin Island (SMI), the only coral island in Bangladesh, is located in the Bay of Bengal and has been identified as a marine protected area (MPA). Littering cigarette butts (CBs) waste in an ecologically sensitive environment can have numerous adverse effects. The purpose of this research is to investigate the abundance and density of CBs in SMI and to assess the pollution status using the Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI). This study is conducted based on the visual survey method in the three types of land use zones of SMI. During the peak season, the investigation was carried out from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in December 2023. A total of 4481 CBs item were counted, and the density ranged from 0.37 to 1.76 m-2 with an average value of 0.99 m-2 across 12 sampling campaigns. The highest density was observed at service zones, and the fishing zones had the lowest density. The calculated CBPI values revealed that 75 % of the sampling stations were in the "severe pollution" while 25 % were classified as "high pollution" status, underscoring the prevalence of hazardous CBs across most areas of SMI. To tackle these issues requires regulatory measures, public awareness initiatives, and community involvement. Effective waste management and eco-friendly product promotion can help reduce CBs pollution risks in marine protected islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masum Howlader
- Environment and Resource Analysis Center Ltd., Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Abu Selim
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu 3226, Nepal
| | - Mobin Hossain Shohan
- Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | | | - Jehan Y Al-Humaidi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | - Molla Rahman Shaibur
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh
| | - Raed H Althomali
- Department of Chemistry, College of Art and Science, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Wadi Al-Dawasir 11991, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nurunnahar Akter
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh
| | | | - Tania Sultana
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata 411008, India
| | - Santush Kumar Singha
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, American International University Bangladesh, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Zaren Subah Betto
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed M Rahman
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Faisal M, You ZJ, Buttar NA, Idrees MB, Naeem M, Ali S, Ali B, Hashem A, Abd_Allah EF. Assessing Metal Exposure and Leaching from Discarded Cigarette Butts: Environmental Analysis and Integrated Waste Management Approaches. TOXICS 2024; 12:324. [PMID: 38787103 PMCID: PMC11125821 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12050324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Cigarette butts, often discarded as litter, are considered a common form of waste, containing a variety of pollutants within this hazardous residue. This study, which was designed to assess the environmental release of certain metals from cigarette butts, investigates a variety of scenarios under varying climatic conditions. Thus, in order to assess the level of metal contamination, samples of cigarette butts were collected in urban areas from seven popular brands in China, smoked artificially, and examined through graphite furnace atomic absorption (GF-AAS). The findings indicated mean concentrations of 1.77 for Cr, 2.88 for Ni, 12.93 for Cu, 24.25 for Zn, and 1.77 µg/g for Pb in the case of newly smoked butts. The emission of each of the metals increases to 8-10% when cigarette butts remain in the environment for an extended period of time. Furthermore, rainfall can accelerate metal leaching, reaching values of 18-20% compared to the controlled scenario. The worst-case scenario releases 2129.31 kg/year of metals into the environment, while the best-case scenario sees a lower release of 844.97 kg/year. The data reflect variations in metal emissions across different scenarios. There was also a strong correlation between cigarette butts in public spaces and cities. This research highlights the need to educate smokers and increase urban maintenance efficiency to reduce this litter and the metals it leaches into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Faisal
- Centre for Ports and Maritime Safety, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China;
| | - Zai-Jin You
- Centre for Ports and Maritime Safety, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China;
| | - Noman Ali Buttar
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan 64200, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Bilal Idrees
- Faculty of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China;
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Shoaib Ali
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518005, China;
| | - Basharat Ali
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan 64200, Pakistan;
| | - Abeer Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
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5
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Ghasemi M, Feyzi Kamareh T, Morovati M, Kazembeigi F, Alinejad N, Moein H, Hassani G. The fate of leaked heavy metals in the urban environment under different persistence and precipitation scenarios. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8343. [PMID: 38594514 PMCID: PMC11004182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59057-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of tobacco will lead to the littering of a large number of filters, and the leakage of pollutants from them into the urban environment is a serious concern. The aim of this study was to analyze the leakage of heavy metals from filter and estimate the annual concentration of pollution leakage in different waste routes and different climatic conditions. The results showed that the highest and lowest density of filter in the studied urban environment were 0.51 and 0.01 number/m2, respectively. According to the estimated annual production of 306 million cigarette butts in the studied area, the leakage of the studied metals was estimated to be 401 g. The share of copper, chromium, and cadmium from the total leakage was 67%, 8.3%, and 1.88%, respectively. The leakage of studied metals in rainy conditions was 2.86 times more than sunny conditions. In different scenarios, the minimum and maximum annual leakage of metals were estimated 23,043 and 350,419 mg/year, respectively. Filters are a little but important source of heavy metal emission into the urban environment, the amount of pollution from which is affected by the consumers' behavior and the efficiency of the urban cleaning system. Education on the correct disposal of filters and increasing the efficiency of the urban cleaning system will lead to a reduction in pollution caused by tobacco consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Ghasemi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Touran Feyzi Kamareh
- Faculty of Forest Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Maryam Morovati
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
| | - Farogh Kazembeigi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Navid Alinejad
- Department of Public Health, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Hossein Moein
- Department of Environmental Health, Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
| | - Ghasem Hassani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
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6
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Farzadkia M, Yavary Nia M, Yavari Nia M, Shacheri F, Nourali Z, Torkashvand J. Reduction of the environmental and health consequences of cigarette butt recycling by removal of toxic and carcinogenic compounds from its leachate. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:23942-23950. [PMID: 38436848 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32703-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Cigarette butt is a hazardous waste, and its management faces many challenges. The generation of leachate containing many pollutants including heavy metals is one of the limitations of recycling cigarette butts. The aim of this study was to reduce organic compounds and heavy metals in leachate resulting from cigarette butt recycling in an electrocoagulation reactor. For this purpose, two samples, including freshly smoked cigarette butts and littered cigarette butts, were processed and the treatment of leachate resulting from them was studied in an electrocoagulation reactor. The efficiency of leachate treatment was investigated in the treatment time of 10-40 min and current intensity of 20-100 mA. The results showed that the minimum reduction of chemical oxygen demand and turbidity was 25.3% and 33.4%, respectively. Increasing the current intensity and treatment time increased the efficiency of removing turbidity and chemical oxygen demand up to 47.1% and 41.2%, respectively, in optimum conditions. The reduction of nickel, chromium, cadmium, and lead in the lowest current density and minimum treatment time was more than 90%, which increased to more than 99% with the increase of the current density and treatment time. The use of electrocoagulation is a suitable solution to reduce heavy metals in leachate resulting from cigarette butt recycling, while the proper reduction of organic compounds in this type of leachate requires further treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Farzadkia
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Yavary Nia
- Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Melika Yavari Nia
- Department of Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Fatemeh Shacheri
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Zahra Nourali
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Javad Torkashvand
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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7
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Delavari Heravi M, Haddadi M, Karami Nejad F, Izadi Yazdanabadi Z, Haghighat GA. A comparative study of indexes used for litter pollution assessment in urban and public environments. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24954. [PMID: 38317978 PMCID: PMC10838791 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Litter is a common pollution in the urban environment and public places such as beaches, which has serious health and economic consequences. Several indexes are used to interpret the pollution status caused by litter, which have different limitations and strengths. In this review, the efficiency and characteristics of different indexes were compared. For this purpose, related articles were searched in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Knowledge, and after screening, 21 articles were selected. The main questions of this study included factors affecting the interpretation of pollution in different indexes and the criteria considered in each index. The results showed that the existing indexes based on the type of litter include two categories of comprehensive indexes such as Clean Environment Index and specific indexes such as Cigarette Butt Pollution Index. Also, the index can be divided into two categories in terms of spatial application, including general indexes such as Environmental Status and specific indexes such as Clean Coast Index. An important difference in the indexes is the importance of the impact of the pollution potential of different litter in the assessment of the status in indexes such as Clean Environment Index and Environmental Status, while indexes such as Clean Coast Index evaluate the status based only on the density of litter. According to the capabilities of each of the indexes, it is necessary to pay attention to the local needs as well as the characteristics of each index in using in urban management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahdieh Haddadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Karami Nejad
- Environmental Health Engineering Expert, Boyer Ahmad City Health Center , Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | | | - Gholam Ali Haghighat
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
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8
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Hossaini Motlagh A, Alinejad N, Kazembeigi F, Torkashvand J, Tashauoei HR, Fattahi M. Quality variations of leachate resulting from cigarette filter recycling as a challenge for its management. Sci Rep 2024; 14:972. [PMID: 38200131 PMCID: PMC10781975 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51530-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recycling is known as a solution for cigarette filter management, but this may cause the release of trapped pollutants in it. Cigarette smoke toxins and chemicals that trapped in the cigarette filter can accumulate in the recycling leachate. In this study, littered cigarette filters and freshly smoked cigarette filters were recycled and the resulting leachate was analyzed. The results showed that the minimum and maximum Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the studied leachates were 2100 mg/L and 11,300 mg/L, respectively. The maximum temporal variation in the studied leachate quality was 74.28%, but the maximum spatial variation was 314.2%. COD in the freshly smoked sample was 2600-9200 mg/L more than the littered samples. The average concentration of chromium, lead, nickel, and cadmium in littered samples was 0.023, 0.024, 0.045, and 0.019 mg/L, respectively. Environmental conditions such as humidity, the efficiency of the urban cleaning system in reducing the resistance of littered filters, the difference in the quality of the filter and tobacco, and the difference in smoking behaviors were effective in this variation. Reducing the toxicity of cigarette smoke and improving the efficiency of the urban cleaning system can lead to the same quality, but leachate treatment is necessary to reduce the environmental risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Hossaini Motlagh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Navid Alinejad
- Department of Public Health, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Farogh Kazembeigi
- Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Javad Torkashvand
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Tashauoei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Fattahi
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam.
- School of Engineering & Technology, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam.
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9
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Mghili B, Lamine I, Bouzekry A, Gunasekaran K, Aksissou M. Cigarette butt pollution in popular beaches of Morocco: Abundance, distribution, and mitigation measures. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115530. [PMID: 37717497 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette butts pose a significant challenge in managing solid litter, with an estimated 4.5 trillion of them being discarded into the environment annually. This study investigated the pollution of eleven beaches along the Moroccan Mediterranean by cigarette butts compared to other types of marine litter between 2018 and 2023. Sampling was conducted using the visual survey technique according to a standardized protocol. A total of 50, 575 items were collected with cigarette butts (14.62 %) and plastic caps/lids drinks (10.93 %) being the most common. Our survey of eleven beaches revealed 7395 cigarette butts, giving an average density of 0.06/m2 comparable to other countries in the Mediterranean. The analysis of the results shows significant differences in the abundance cigarette butts according to the beach typology, seasonality, sediment type, and number of beach users. Moreover, the study discovered a decrease in beach pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, resulting in less litter collected compared to pre- and post-pandemic periods. The Cigarette Butt Pollution Index was categorized as very low pollution in M'diq and Kaa Asrass, low pollution in Ksar Sghir, Fnideq, Amsa, Oued Laou, significant pollution in Martil and Nador and sever pollution in Saidia and Sababia. The CBPI was higher during summer and winter, significantly associated with the density levels of beach users. The study recommends immediate action by the local administration to prevent the potential pollution of groundwater and sand by toxic substances leached from cigarette butts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco.
| | - Imane Lamine
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Ecosystems, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, BP 8106, Agadir, Morocco; Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Technical Health, Errachidia
| | - Assia Bouzekry
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Kannan Gunasekaran
- Centre for Aquaculture, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600019, India
| | - Mustapha Aksissou
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
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Testa D, Zuccante G, Muhyuddin M, Landone R, Scommegna A, Lorenzi R, Acciarri M, Petri E, Soavi F, Poggini L, Capozzoli L, Lavacchi A, Lamanna N, Franzetti A, Zoia L, Santoro C. Giving New Life to Waste Cigarette Butts: Transformation into Platinum Group Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acid, Neutral and Alkaline Environment. Catalysts 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/catal13030635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Following the core theme of a circular economy, a novel strategy to upcycle cigarette butt waste into platinum group metal (PGM)-free metal nitrogen carbon (M-N-C) electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is presented. The experimental route was composed of (i) the transformation of the powdered cigarette butts into carbonaceous char via pyrolysis at 450 °C, 600 °C, 750 °C and 900 °C, (ii) the porosity activation with KOH and (iii) the functionalization of the activated chars with iron (II) phthalocyanine (FePc). The electrochemical outcomes obtained by the rotating disk electrode (RRDE) technique revealed that the sample pyrolyzed at 450 °C (i.e., cig_450) outperformed the other counterparts with its highest onset (Eon) and half-wave potentials (E1/2) and demonstrated nearly tetra-electronic ORR in acidic, neutral and alkaline electrolytes, all resulting from the optimal surface chemistry and textural properties.
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11
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Spatial and temporal variation of CBPI and leakage of heavy metals from cigarette butts into the urban environment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1424. [PMID: 36697425 PMCID: PMC9876916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28340-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 5 trillion cigarettes are produced in the world every year. This hazardous waste is one of the most important litter in the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the density and dispersion of cigarette butts in the urban environment and to estimate the leakage of pollution from it to the environment. For this purpose, the cigarette butt pollution index was used in 14 locations. Observations were made during a year and once a month for each location. The study of the locations was done with the same conditions on weekend and working days. The amount of heavy metal leakage was estimated based on the average weight of cigarette butts and the ratio of metal leakage in different weather conditions. The results showed that the annual average of index for the studied locations was 1.36 (SD 0.11) to 10.6 (SD 1.23). Based on this, 28.5% of the locations were in the low pollution status and 42.8% were in the significant pollution status and worse. On average, the index on weekend decreased by 32.3 percent in all locations, and the average index of the studied locations in spring and summer was 26.2 percent higher than in autumn and winter. The average leakage of heavy metals including chromium, cadmium, zinc, lead, copper, and nickel from littered cigarette butts in commercial, residential, and recreational areas was estimated to be 0.27, 0.079, and 0.17 µg per square meter, respectively. Cigarette butt is one of the most abundant litter in the studied area, which is the source of many pollutants, including heavy metals. This hazardous waste is a serious threat to the urban environment.
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12
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Ribeiro VV, Lopes TC, Amaral Dos Santos Pinto M, Póvoa AA, Corrêa VR, De-la-Torre GE, Dobaradaran S, Green DS, Szklo AS, Castro ÍB. Cigarette butts in two urban areas from Brazil: Links among environmental impacts, demography and market. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 213:113730. [PMID: 35732200 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental impacts are currently linked to smoking cigarette behavior, as cigarette butts (CBs) represent the most common litter item in natural areas. Despite this, even the best ranked Brazilian cities, in terms of urban cleaning, have no information about urban littered CBs. Thus, CBs were monitored in Santos and Niterói cities, aiming to assess contamination, Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI) and the illegal market size. CBs were collected in 36 walkways considering different land usage types and urban density levels. The CBPI was calculated, and brands were used to identify the size of the illegal market. CBs contamination in Santos (0.25 CBs/m2) was three times higher than Niterói (0.08 CBs/m2) and their occurrence and distribution presented no relationship with land usage types and urban population densities levels. CBPI = 17.6 was severe and the highest so far reported. A total of 28 cigarette brands were found both studied cities. Further, illegal cigarette consumption in Santos and Niteroi was estimated, based on brands of collected CBs, at 25.2% and 36.8%, respectively. Such data may be valuable for implementation of logistic reverse actions seeking to environmentally sustainable and socially resilient cities. Cigarette consumption threatens human life and the environment, and tobacco companies should be accountable for the pollution they generate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alain Alves Póvoa
- Instituto de Geociências, Programa de Pós Graduação em Dinâmica Dos Oceanos e da Terra, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil
| | - Victor Rocha Corrêa
- Departamento de Ciências, Faculdade de Formação de Professores, Universidade Do Estado Do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, Essen, Germany
| | - Dannielle Senga Green
- Applied Ecology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - André Salem Szklo
- Divisão de Pesquisa Populacional, Instituto Nacional Do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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