Preliminary Data on the Toxicity of Heated Tobacco Products on Marine Organisms

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are new devices for smokers, that are spreading rapidly around the world as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, there are no data on the ecotoxicity of chemicals leached from discarded butts into the aquatic environment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of HTPs leachate derived from 5 butts/L on three marine species. The results of the bioassays showed no toxicity to the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, low toxicity to the crustacean Artemia franciscana with a maximum mortality value of approximately 20% (LC20 = 3.5 butts/L), and higher toxicity to the microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta with a maximum growth inhibition value of about 40% (EC20 = 1.4 butts/L). This study highlights the need to monitor this type of waste, as it could represent a new hazard for the aquatic environment.