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

Abstract

Abstract Discarded cigarette butts (CBs) may leach toxic elements and can contaminate different environments. Here, the concentration levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in CBs leachates were determined, and the release rate of these pollutants from three types CBs including smoked CBs with and without tobacco (SCBs and SFs) and unsmoked filters (USFs) was examined. The mean levels of PCBs 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 toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of the dioxin-like PCBs from the CBs leachate samples ranged from 2×10− 6-1×10− 4 ng/L. Despite the very low TEQs values in CBs leachates, continuous discharge and the toxicities of the PCBs in the aquatic environments could have unfavorably impacts on the the water boddies and/or human health. Regarding the globally great number of littered CBs and their chemical contents there should be a special facilitator attention on this global problem.