Surface Detection of THC Attributable to Vaporizer Use in the Indoor Environment

Cristina Sempio,Emily Lindley,Mike Vandyke,Jost Klawitter,Rahwa Netsanet,Tessa Crume,Uwe Christians,Jacquelyn Bainbridge,Gregory L Kinney,Sarah Fischer,Russell P Bowler,John L Adgate,William Allshouse,Lauren Awdziejczyk

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55151-5

Abstract

The number of cannabis users increased up to 188 million users worldwide in 2017. Smoking and vaping are the most common consumption routes with formation of side-stream smoke/vapor and secondhand exposure to cannabinoids has been described in the literature. External contamination of hair by cannabis smoke has been studied but there are no studies on third-hand cannabis exposure due to deposition of smoke or vapor on surfaces. We tested whether cannabinoids could be detected on surfaces and objects in a room where cannabis is vaporized. Surface samples were collected using isopropanol imbued non-woven wipes from hard surfaces and objects. Each surface was swabbed three times with standardized swabbing protocol including three different patterns. Samples were analyzed using LC-ESI-MS/MS in combination with online extraction. THC was detected on 6 samples out of the 15 collected in the study room at quantifiable levels ranging 348–4882 ng/m2. Negative control samples collected from areas outside the study room were all negative. We demonstrated that surfaces exposed to side-stream cannabis vapor are positive for THC at quantifiable levels. This study represents a first step in understanding how side-stream cannabis vapor deposits in the environment and potentially results in a tertiary exposure for users and non-users.

Highlights

Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug worldwide with an estimated 188 million users between the ages of 15–64 in 2017, marking an increase of roughly 16% in the decade ending in 20161
Current research suggests that secondhand exposure to side-stream smoke/vapor from cannabis consumption may result in detectable levels of cannabinoids in blood, urine, oral fluid or hair samples of cannabis non-user volunteers[7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]
Experimental results demonstrate that surfaces can be contaminated by side-stream smoke from cocaine, methamphetamine and opium[18,19]

Summary

Introduction

Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug worldwide with an estimated 188 million users between the ages of 15–64 in 2017, marking an increase of roughly 16% in the decade ending in 20161. Current research suggests that secondhand exposure to side-stream smoke/vapor from cannabis consumption may result in detectable levels of cannabinoids in blood, urine, oral fluid or hair samples of cannabis non-user volunteers[7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. There has been increased interest in understanding the effects of passive or indirect exposure to side-stream smoke/vapor components from tobacco and illicit drugs. Moosmann et al proved external contamination of hair samples in children living in households where cannabis is consumed and they suggest passive transfer by contaminated hands or surfaces as the primary source of contamination[14,20]. The goal of this study was to determine whether cannabinoids can be quantitatively detected on room surfaces exposed to side-stream cannabis vapor, making these surfaces possible sources for third-hand exposure

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion