Study finds microplastics in tobacco samples across 18 countries

An international study published in the journal Environmental Pollution has revealed widespread microplastic contamination in cigarette tobacco. Researchers from several Turkish universities, led by Professor Sedat Gündoğdu, analyzed 88 different cigarette varieties from 18 countries, including Germany, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

The findings indicate that approximately 94% of the samples contained microplastics, with 83 out of 88 samples testing positive. On average, 7.2 microplastic particles were found per gram of tobacco. The most common polymers identified were polyethylene (37.3%), polypropylene (23.6%), and PET/polyester (22.6%).

In terms of concentration, Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked highest with 30 particles per gram, while Türkiye ranked second with 19 particles per gram. Other countries with notable levels included Finland, Montenegro, Sweden, and Latvia. Researchers attributed the contamination to the use of synthetic tarpaulins, sacks, and PVC materials during the drying, storage, and transportation of tobacco. Experts warned that burning these plastics at high temperatures converts them into toxic chemical gases, posing additional health risks to smokers.