Few studies have determined the amount of microplastic pollution originating from tobacco product waste. Cigarette filters contain plastic in the form of cellulose acetate fibers, which break into fibrous microplastics, namely microfibers, due to environmental exposure. Littered cigarette filters have been identified as a significant source of microplastic pollution globally, releasing an estimated 4 quadrillion cellulose acetate microfibers into the environment each year. These microplastics infiltrate soils and sediments and can ultimately contaminate groundwater, especially in areas exposed to treated sewage inputs or untreated stormwater runoff. Assessing the environmental risk of microplastics requires accurate measurements of the amount of these diverse contaminants across water, soil, and sewage.

Due to the varied properties of microplastics, current methods for determining microplastic composition have underestimated the proportion of microplastic pollution originating from tobacco product waste. This project uses novel methods to determine the amount of cellulose acetate microfibers, relative to other microplastics, in groundwater. Groundwater is a precious resource that satisfies up to 100% of the water supply needs for municipalities, the agricultural sector, and communities across California. This project provides data on environmental contamination caused by tobacco product waste that can support the development of California’s precautionary risk assessment framework for microplastic pollution and tobacco cessation policies both locally and globally. Tobacco cessation has the potential to save millions of people each year from otherwise preventable deaths resulting from direct and indirect exposure to tobacco smoke. This is especially impactful for communities facing environmental contamination from tobacco product waste, which are often already disproportionately burdened by various social determinants of health.

Phoenix & Becca’s Impact:

  • Completed a literature review on the environmental impacts of microplastics and tobacco product waste.
  • Collected water samples in the field, including biosolids, treated effluent, drinking water, creek runoff, and raw groundwater.
  • Extracted and analyzed microplastics and pollutants using lab techniques including microscopy and LC/MS.
  • Delivered a written report and oral presentation to communicate findings.
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Phoenix Cook

“Being able to work in the Keller lab reaffirmed my love of the scientific process altogether. Having the ability to work with awesome people on intriguing and challenging projects gave me both valuable insight and skills into the world of applied environmental science. From the solid phase extractions to the stream water sample collection, it was a fantastic experience!”

Phoenix Cook, UCSB Class of ’26, Hydrologic Science and Policy and Earth Science

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student headshot

“Working with my mentee was the highlight of my summer. As a graduate student I’m often working independently in the field and in the lab. This Fellowship provided the opportunity to train and collaborate with my mentee, who not only contributed invaluable insights and perspectives to our study, but helped me grow as a mentor. It was fulfilling to provide him with the support and guidance I wish I’d had as an undergraduate. I’m also grateful to have had the opportunity to reflect on specific aspects of my mentorship skills to better fit my mentee’s needs, while considering how these newly honed skills broadened my overall mentoring abilities. I’m thrilled that my mentee has been able to remain in our lab group as a paid intern supported by the UCSB Associated Students Coastal Fund, and we have recently submitted additional funding proposals to support his internship through June 2025.”

Rebecca (Becca) Reynolds, PhD, Fate and Transport of Pollutants in Hydrologic Systems