Nicotine is the most commonly reported toxic substance causing symptoms among children who have consumed cigarettes or butts. 7Īpproximately 0.6–3.0% of tobacco (by dry weight) is composed of nicotine, a plant pesticide, 8 although it is no longer used as such in the USA. 6 Slaughter et al demonstrated that the median lethal dose is approximately one cigarette butt per litre of water for both freshwater and saltwater test fish species. 5 One laboratory-based study has shown that cigarette butt leachates can kill water fleas ( Daphnia species) in relatively low concentrations. 4 Cigarette butts have been shown to leach out numerous chemicals such as heavy metals, nicotine and ethylphenol in water and may be a continual point source for contamination of aquatic environments after discarding. Many are additives used in flavouring and adjusting the burn rate of cigarettes, and the tobacco industry has reported many of these as being ‘generally regarded as safe’-when consumed as food, but not necessarily when combusted and then consumed. 3 Many of these chemicals are derived from agricultural use in tobacco growing, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides humectants may be added to keep tobacco moist. 2 However, canines often self-decontaminate through vomiting.Ĭigarettes contain at least 4000 chemicals, with about 50 of these being carcinogenic. Animals may not be able to regurgitate such items, with some acquiring gastrointestinal bezoars that can lead to a false sense of satiation and subsequent under-nutrition.
1 Infants, as well as many sea creatures, birds and pets are indiscriminate eaters, and ingested plastic trash, including cigarette butts, can choke an animal or poison it with toxins.
When carelessly discarded by smokers, they are carried from storm sewers and beaches to streams and waterways leading directly to the aquatic environment. Cigarette butts are commonly discarded onto beaches, sidewalks, streets, parks and many other public places where children, domestic animals and wildlife may be exposed to risk of ingestion they may also be accessed by children from ashtrays at home, in cars or in public places. Cigarette butt waste is not only unsightly, but when ingested may be hazardous to the health of humans and animals.
0 kommentar(er)
