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Occupational Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Law Enforcement Officers Providing Security at Outdoor Concert Events
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8 06 2020
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Source: Ann Work Expo Health. 64(7):705-714
[PDF-339.71 KB]
Details:
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Journal Article:Ann Work Expo Health
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Personal Author:
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Description:Background:
Numerous states have legalized cannabis for medical or non-medical (recreational) use. With the increased availability and use of cannabis, occupational and environmental exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke (SHCS) raises concerns over whether non-users may be at risk for a “contact high,” impaired neurocognitive function, harm from irritants and carcinogens in smoke, or potentially failing a cannabis screening test. The extent of health effects from potential occupational exposure to SHCS is unknown. While public consumption of cannabis is illegal in the state where we did our evaluation, law enforcement officers (LEOs) anecdotally reported increased cannabis use at concerts since legalization of non-medical use in private spaces. This is a study of occupational exposures to SHCS among LEOs providing security at outdoor concerts on a college campus.
Methods:
Investigators evaluated a convenience sample of LEOs’ exposure to SHCS and symptoms experienced while providing security during two open-air stadium rock-n-roll concerts on consecutive days in July 2018. During each event, full-shift area and LEO personal air samples were collected for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. Urine (pre- and post-event; n = 58) and blood (post-event; n = 29) were also collected and analyzed for Δ9-THC and two of its metabolites [11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) and 11-nor-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (OH-THC)]. Urine samples were analyzed using an ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and results were compared to the Department of Transportation guidelines for urine screening for cannabis. Blood (post-event) samples were also collected and the plasma fraction was tested for Δ9-THC, THC-COOH, and OH-THC using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. LEOs also completed a medical questionnaire asking about symptoms experienced during the concerts.
Results:
Twenty-nine LEOs participated in the evaluation. Measurable amounts of Δ9-THC were found in area (concentrations ranged from non-detectable to 330 nanograms per cubic meter [ng/m3]) and personal air samples (53 to 480 ng/m3). Small amounts (< 1.0 ng/milliliter [mL]) of a Δ9-THC metabolite (THC-COOH) were found in the post-event urine of 34% of LEOs. Neither Δ9-THC nor its metabolites were detected in any blood sample. LEOs reported experiencing non-specific symptoms during the concerts, such as burning, itchy, or red eyes (31%); dry mouth (21%); headache (21%); and coughing (21%).
Conclusions:
Identification of Δ9-THC in the breathing zone for some LEOs indicates the potential for airborne exposure to the psychoactive component of cannabis. However, the magnitude of these exposures was small. Similarly, THC-COOH was found in the post-event urine of some LEOs at concentrations that were orders of magnitude below active use cut-points used during a cannabis screening test (50 ng/mL). Exposure to SHCS was not high enough to detect concentrations of THC, THC-COOH, to OH-THC in the blood, which could be due to differences between the limits of detection for the tests employed. The ocular and respiratory symptoms reported by LEOs may be related to irritants in SHCS. However, the health effects of SHCS remain unclear, and further research concerning occupational and environmental exposures is warranted.
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Source:
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Pubmed ID:32219297
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC8593821
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Document Type:
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Funding:
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Volume:64
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Issue:7
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