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The secret of cigarette filter materials: Why are plastic fibers becoming the mainstream choice?
Cigarette filter, also known as filter, as a part of the cigarette, together with cigarette paper, capsule and adhesive constitute the whole of the cigarette. The birth of filters can be traced back to the early 1950s. As the technology has evolved, cigarette filters available today are primarily made of plastic fibers (cellulose acetate), but also other materials such as paper or activated carbon. There is complex science and market drivers behind the selection of these materials.
The history of filter development
As early as 1925, Hungarian inventor Boris Aivaz patented the technology of making cigarette filters from crepe paper. It is reported that since 1935, Molins Machine Co Ltd in the UK has begun to develop machines that can produce filter cigarettes. As the medical community became more concerned about the potential link between smoking and lung disease, filtered cigarettes quickly entered the market in the 1950s and became widely popular.
Filter manufacturing process
Currently, cigarette filters are generally made of plastic fiber - cellulose acetate. These fibers are obtained by esterifying bleached cotton or wood pulp with acetic acid. Interestingly, although the purpose of filters is to reduce the harmful substances in cigarettes, experiments have found that this process has little effect on filtering out certain harmful gases.
While experimental tests have shown that filters can reduce tar and nicotine to some extent, they are not very effective in removing low molecular weight gases such as carbon monoxide.
Health risks of filters
In the 1970s, epidemiological evidence on the relationship between smoking and cancer showed that smokers who used filters had a lower risk of developing certain diseases than smokers who did not use filters. However, as follow-up studies were conducted, it was found that there was no significant difference in the risk of lung cancer regardless of the presence or absence of filters.
As research has shown, smokers' smoking patterns tend to change with cigarette strength, making filters less effective at removing nicotine than expected.
Environmental impact of filters
According to statistics, cigarette holders are the most common man-made waste in the world. Every year, approximately 5.6 trillion cigarettes are smoked and an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette holders are discarded. Plastic cellulose acetate, the material used in cigarette holders, degrades extremely slowly and can have lasting effects on the environment.
Discarded cigarette butts can release toxins that pose a significant threat to aquatic life.
Exploration of new materials
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, more and more researchers are beginning to explore alternative materials for filters. Some groups have even proposed using biodegradable materials to replace traditional filters, hoping to protect the health of users while reducing harm to the environment.
Future Considerations
Filter designs and materials continue to evolve as market demands change. How to balance the contradiction between consumer demand and environmental protection will be a challenge that the cigarette industry must face in the future.
When the main materials of cigarette filters are already widely used, should we think about the possible long-term impact of these material choices on the earth and our health?
