Social Science
Seeing beyond the smoke: Selecting waterpipe wastewater chemicals for risk assessments
Yasmin Termeh-Zonoozi,
Yasmin Termeh-Zonoozi
Center for Tobacco Products, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, 11785 Beltsville Drive, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
P. Dilip Venugopal,
P. Dilip Venugopal
Center for Tobacco Products, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, 11785 Beltsville Drive, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
Vyomesh Patel
Vyomesh Patel
Center for Tobacco Products, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, 11785 Beltsville Drive, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
Background Increasing use prevalence of waterpipe tobacco products raises concerns about environmental impacts from waterpipe waste disposal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required to assess the environmental impact of its tobacco regulatory actions per the National Environmental Policy Act. This study builds on FDA’s efforts characterizing the aquatic toxicity of waterpipe wastewater chemicals. Methods We compiled a comprehensive list of waterpipe wastewater chemical concentrations from literature. We then selected chemicals for risk assessment by estimating persistence, bioaccumulation, and aquatic toxicity (PBT) characteristics (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), and hazardous concentration values (concentration affecting specific proportion of species). Results Of 38 chemicals in waterpipe wastewater with concentration data, 20 are listed as harmful or potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in tobacco smoke and tobacco products by FDA, and 15 are hazardous waste per U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Among metals, six (cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel and selenium) are included in both HPHC and hazardous waste lists and were selected for future risk assessments. Among non-metals, nicotine, and 4-methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)− 1-butanone (NNK) were shortlisted, as they are classified as persistent and toxic. Further, N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), with a low hazardous concentration value (HC50; concentration affecting 50 % of aquatic species) for chronic aquatic toxicity, had high aquatic toxicity concern and is selected. Conclusions The presence of multiple hazardous compounds in waterpipe wastewater highlights the importance of awareness on the proper disposal of waterpipe wastewater in residential and retail settings. Future studies can build on the hazard characterization provided in this study through fate and transport modeling, exposure characterization and risk assessments of waterpipe wastewater chemicals.
Key Questions
Is waterpipe tobacco waste harmful to the environment?
Yes, waterpipe tobacco waste contains hazardous chemicals like cadmium, lead, nicotine, and NNK, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and pose risks to human health if not disposed of properly.
What chemicals are in waterpipe wastewater?
Waterpipe wastewater includes harmful chemicals such as cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nicotine, and NNK. Many of these are classified as hazardous waste or harmful constituents by the FDA and EPA.
How does waterpipe waste affect aquatic life?
Chemicals in waterpipe wastewater, like N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), have high aquatic toxicity and can harm 50% of aquatic species at low concentrations. Metals like cadmium and lead also pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems.
What are the risks of improper waterpipe waste disposal?
Improper disposal of waterpipe waste can lead to the release of toxic chemicals into water systems, harming aquatic life and potentially contaminating drinking water sources. It also increases environmental pollution and health risks.
How can we reduce the environmental impact of waterpipe waste?
Proper disposal practices in residential and retail settings are crucial. Raising awareness about the hazards of waterpipe waste and implementing stricter regulations can help reduce its environmental impact.
What does the FDA say about waterpipe waste?
The FDA is required to assess the environmental impact of tobacco products, including waterpipe waste, under the National Environmental Policy Act. Studies like this one help identify harmful chemicals and inform regulatory actions.
Are there any safe ways to dispose of waterpipe waste?
Currently, there are no universally established safe disposal methods for waterpipe waste. However, treating it as hazardous waste and following local regulations for chemical disposal can help minimize environmental harm.
