Introduction: Introduction: Cigarette filters (CFs) are a potential source of microfibers (MFs) in aquatic environments. In this study, MFs released from two CFs brands into seawater (SW) and distilled water (DW) under outdoor and laboratory environmental conditions during various long-term exposure times (120, 180, 240, and 365 days) were investigated and compared.
Methods: Unsmoked CFs from two commercially available cigarette brands were exposed to SW and DW under outdoor and laboratory conditions at contact times of 120, 180, 240, and 365 days. Three CFs of each brand were used for each contact time under every environmental condition. Determining the characteristics of MF were performed microscope and Raman techniques.
Results: Average MF levels released from CFs into SW and DW increased over time, from 120 to 365 days, from 41.6 to 61.4 and 24.0 to 46.9 items/g CFs, respectively. The 20-50 μm size range was the most abundant. Cellulose acetate (90%) and polypropylene (10%) were the identified polymer compositions.
Conclusion: These findings highlight that CFs play an important role in MFs release into the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop strategies for reducing cigarette waste in the environment.