Evaluation of Law Enforcement Agents’ Potential Exposures during a Raid of a Clandestine “Spice” Lab

Details

• Personal Author:
  Burr, Gregory A. ; Ramsey, Jessica G. ; Tapp, Loren C.
• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  A law enforcement agency requested a health hazard evaluation to look at exposures to synthetic cannabinoids and other compounds during raids of clandestine labs. There was also concern about exposures when they processed evidence at their office. We tested urine, air, and surfaces for AB-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid. We also tested for mitragynine, a plant material with opium-like effects in humans. We sampled during the raid and in the office during evidence processing. We spoke with agents about their work and work-related symptoms. We looked at their use of personal protective equipment. We checked the office ventilation system to see if it was designed for evidence handling and processing. We found AB-PINACA, its breakdown products, or mitragynine in the urine of six of nine agents after the raid. These compounds were not present in any urine samples before the raid. One surface wipe sample from the lab had a detectable amount of AB-PINACA. No airborne AB-PINACA or mitragynine was found. Gloves and protective clothing were not used at all time when needed. This practice could lead to exposure to contaminants or spread of contamination. Hand washing supplies were not provided for agents in the field. The office ventilation system was not designed to contain or control contaminants. We determined that agents are at risk for dermal exposure and ingestion of synthetic cannabinoids and other contaminants.
• Subjects:
  Emergency Responders Law Enforcement Narcotics Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Protective Clothing Respiratory Protective Devices Safety Skin Ventilation
• Keywords:
  AB-PINACA Dermal Exposures Emergency Responders Gloves Illegal Drugs Kratom Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Workers Mitragynine National Security Nevada Police Officers PPE Protective Clothing Respirators Respiratory Protection Respiratory Protective Equipment Spice Lab Synthetic Cannabinoids Ventilation Ventilation Systems

  More +
• Source:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2014-0039-3246, 2016 Mar ; :1-31
• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHHHE201400393246
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  Nevada ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  38 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Booher, Donald E. ; Galloway, Ellen ; Giglio, Denise ; Moore, Kevin ; Roberts, Jennifer ; Sammons, Deborah, Watts, Shawna
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20047711
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2016-102608
• Citation:
  NIOSH [2016]. Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of law enforcement agents’ ; potential exposures during a raid of a clandestine “spice” lab. By Ramsey JG, Tapp L, ; Burr G. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for ; Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ; NIOSH HHE Report No. 2014-0039-3246,
• CAS Registry Number:
  Mitragynine (CAS RN 4098-40-2) ; AB-PINACA (CAS RN 1445583-20-9)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  928110 - National Security - (NAICS)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f3dde64c50344afaac104ab826c7a5e1efd3ae6fa9734c889e575e0f099a25cb4eae00cb6bb8e26b04155cf57c00fb956cb77e47d35041725439ba190d1195f6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/172416/cdc_172416_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.43 MB ]