LogoLogoMSF Science Portal
  • My saved items
logo

© Médecins Sans Frontières

MSF Science Portal
About MSF Science Portal
About MSF
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

v2.1.4829.produseast1

1 result(s)
Filter and sort
1 result(s)
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text

Evaluating cigarette butt pollution: Insights from Cox's Bazar Sea beach of Bangladesh

Curr Sci. 1 December 2023; Volume 197; 115705.; DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115705
Howlader M, Selim A, Shuvo SNA, Islam MM, Sultana T,  et al.
Curr Sci. 1 December 2023; Volume 197; 115705.; DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115705

Cigarette butts (CBs) have serious harmful effects on the environment and living organisms despite their small size. This research aims to investigate the abundance, densities and pollution status of CBs in Cox's Bazar Sea beach. The survey was conducted between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. in February 2023, during the peak season of the year. A total of 13,988 CBs were collected, and the mean density was 0.388 m-2 and ranges from 0.195 m-2 - to 0.689 m-2. The mean CBPI value was 7.78, which showed the "high pollution" status. According to CBPI analysis, 25 %, 41.67 %, 16.67 %, and 16.67 % were "severe pollution", "considerable pollution", "high pollution", and "pollution" status, respectively. From HII values, 91.67 % beach fell within the "Class III" category, indicating abundant toxic CBs in the study area. A total of 13 brands were identified, of which Derby (19.31 %), B&H (18.54 %), and Star (11.26 %) were more abundant brands. These findings from this study aim to increase awareness of the harmful effects of cigarette butts discarded intentionally or unintentionally by smokers.

More