Artist Statement (Rough Draft)

Why cigarette butts are bad for the environment?

These small pieces of waste may seem like something that is not as big of a deal as other artifacts but in reality, just like other substances, these pieces of waste can add up. The harmful component in cigarette filters, besides the cellulose-acetate plastic that it is made up of, is the toxic chemicals that are being held within. When large amounts of cigarette filters make its way into the our water systems or soil the chemicals can leach to it.

How can they harm the animals?

Animals are also affected by this waste because they mistake the butts for food and when ingested, the cause digestive problems and chemicals to be taken in.

In 2006 a laboratory study found that cigarette butts were found to be acutely toxic to a freshwater organisms and a marine bacteria. The main cause of this toxicity was credited to nicotine and ethylphenol, a chemical found in beer and wine however high doses of it are deemed undrinkable, in the leachates from cigarette butts.

What are the butts made out of that make it so bad?

The filter is comprised of cellulose acetate which is photodegradable but not bio-degradable. Ultraviolet rays from the sun break the filter into smaller pieces under ideal environmental conditions over the course of ten to fifteen years however the source material never disappears. It becomes diluted in water or soil. Also, their non-biodegradability means that they increase landfill requirements, add costs to city waste disposal programs, and create environmental nuisance in public places.

What toxic chemicals are emitted into the environment by them?

Why were cigarette filters invented?

In the 1950s the cellulose-acetate filter were added to cigarettes because of the scientific evidence that smoking cigarettes caused lung cancer and other deadly diseases. Scientist then discovered a way of manufacturing cigarettes so the tar and nicotine levels would be lowered and advertised that these cigarettes, with cigarette filters on them, are “safer” to smoke.

Where do the butts mainly end up/ what happens to them once they’re there?

Cigarette butts can be found in landfills, streams, storm drains and even the ocean. Even when littered on sidewalks or thrown out a moving car window the waste can end up in these places by traveling by wind or other various natural occurrences in the world and end up in the world’s natural environment where animals roam.

How many butts are emitted per hour in the US?

Any solutions?

How do we prevent them from getting into the environment?

What causes them to get into the environment? Does the production play a role?

Any laws that ban smoking in areas? Less pollution because of this?

In order to try to control the cigarette butt waste some cities such as San Diego and Chicago have banned smoking in recreational parks and beaches. Even though this is a step in the right direction it will not eliminate the waste from beaches because of the runoff from streets to the waterways which leads to the ocean.

Who funds the anti smoking campaigns/ are there any results of it?

A popular anti smoking campaign is the “truth” campaigns. Truth is funded by American Legacy FOundation which is an independent public health organization that was created in 1999 in result of the Master Settlement Agreement. Even with all their successful advertisements the campaign still have funding issues.

What are the toxic chemicals that go into cigarettes?

Many chemicals go into making a cigarette which is what ends up in filters once the cigarette is smoked. Some chemicals are acetone which is used as a nail polish remover. Geraniol which is found in pesticides. Cadmium which is found in batteries. Urea which is found in pee and numerous amounts of other chemicals that pose a threat to ourselves.

Citations

2020, the year. "thetruth.com: Facts." Do you have what it takes to be a tobacco exec?. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http://www.thetruth.com/facts/>.

"CigaretteLitter.Org - The Facts About Cigarette Butts and Litter - Facts." CigaretteLitter.Org - The Facts About Cigarette Butts and Litter - Cigarette Litter. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http://www.cigarettelitter.org/index.asp?PageName=Facts>.

E. Novotny , Thomas , Kristen Lum, Elizabeth Smith, Vivian Wang, and Richard Barnes. "Cigarettes Butts and the Case for an Environmental Policy on Hazardous Cigarette Waste ." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/6/5/1691/pdf>.

"How Cigarette Butts Harm the Environment : EcoWorldly." EcoWorldly - International Environmental News for the World Citizen. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2009. <http://ecoworldly.com/2009/04/01/how-cigarette-butts-harm-the-environment/>.