The influence of waste from electronic cigarettes, conventional cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products on microorganisms.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study on the influence of waste from electronic cigarettes, conventional cigarettes, and heat-not-burn tobacco products on microorganisms. The study uses the MARA test and non-selected microorganisms from the Brynica River and a wastewater treatment plant effluent to assess the ecotoxicity of the investigated waste.

Key Points:

* The study found that waste from electronic cigarettes, including cartridges and e-liquids, does not pose a considerable threat to microbiocenosis.
* However, leachate from smoked cigarette butts (SCBs) and butts from heat-not-burn tobacco products (HnBBs) have a particularly strong ecotoxic effect on microorganisms.
* The high ecotoxicity of SCBs and HnBBs, combined with a high supply, is concerning and can require interventions to protect the aquatic environment.
* The retention of the waste can have an adverse effect on microorganisms in reservoirs surface waters or a sludge activity in wastewater treatment plants.
* The study did not consider the potential environmental impact of solid waste such as empty e-liquid bottles, replaceable metal elements of electronic cigarettes, and their power supply.
* The study used a multispecies MARA (microbial assay for risk assessment) test to evaluate the chronic toxicity of the investigated waste.
* The study also tested the reactions of unselected microorganisms present in the effluent from the municipal wastewater treatment plant and in the waters of the heavily polluted Brynica River to the tested pollutants.

Main Message:
The main message of the text is that waste from electronic cigarettes does not pose a significant threat to microorganisms, while waste from conventional cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products can have a strong ecotoxic effect on microorganisms. The high ecotoxicity of SCBs and HnBBs, combined with a high supply, can require interventions to protect the aquatic environment. The study highlights the importance of considering the environmental impact of waste from tobacco products.

Baran W, Madej-Knysak D, Sobczak A, Adamek E. The influence of waste from electronic cigarettes, conventional cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products on microorganisms. Journal of hazardous materials. 2020;385:121591. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121591