Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 2024-0031-3424: Evaluation of Occupational Exposures to Illicit Drugs at a Police Department Crime Laboratory

Details

• Personal Author:
  Li, Jessica F. ; Shi, Dallas S. ; Cox, Jennie
• Description:
  Management at a police department crime laboratory requested an evaluation due to concerns about potential occupational exposure to illicit drugs among employees working in the forensic chemistry unit. We focused our evaluation on employees who routinely handled or analyzed evidence that may contain controlled substances and those who worked in areas of the laboratory where suspected illicit drugs were present. We visited the crime laboratory twice to learn about potential health concerns and to measure exposures. During our site visits, we (1) observed laboratory work processes, practices, and conditions; (2) measured forensic scientists' exposures to cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine in air, on hands, and on surfaces; (3) tested forensic scientists' urine for cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and several metabolites (breakdown products) of these drugs; (4) assessed the fume hoods and the airflow between laboratory areas and hallways; (5) held confidential medical interviews; and (6) reviewed relevant records. Our air, handwipe, and surface sampling identified the potential for occupational exposures to controlled substances among forensic scientists. While biomonitoring results did not indicate widespread systemic absorption, methamphetamine was detected in the urine of some employees. Observations revealed inconsistent fume hood use, respirator practices, and decontamination procedures, which may contribute to exposure risks. Some employees reported headaches and dizziness, and concerns were raised about solvent exposure, evolving policies, and the need for improved training on exposure risks and naloxone use. Proactive steps were already taken by the laboratory, including enhanced respiratory protection measures, increased personal protective equipment (PPE) training, and improved naloxone availability. Continued efforts to strengthen engineering controls, PPE compliance, and standardized protocols will further enhance workplace safety and reduce exposure risks.
• Subjects:
  Analgesics, Opioid Cocaine Fentanyl Heroin Illicit Drugs Laboratory Personnel Law Enforcement Methamphetamine Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Police Protection; Forensic Laboratory; Crime Laboratory; Forensic Scientist; Forensic Chemist; Law Enforcement; Illicit Drug; Cocaine; Opioid; Heroin; Fentanyl; Methamphetamine; Controlled Substance Region 8; Laboratory Workers; Drugs; Ventilation Equipment; Law Enforcement; Environmental Contamination; Air Flow; Personal Protective Equipment; PPE; Ventilation; Opioids; Hand Washing; Safety Practices; Occupational Exposure;
• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study ; Report
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; Ohio ; Denver Region [OSHA] ; Chicago Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  44 pdf pages
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071008
• Citation:
  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 2024-0031-3424, 2025 Sep; :1-44
• CAS Registry Number:
  Fentanyl (CAS RN 437-38-7) ; Cocaine (CAS RN 50-36-2) ; Methamphetamine (CAS RN 537-46-2) ; Heroin (CAS RN 561-27-3)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  922120 - Police Protection - (NAICS)
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ec59bae5b525d2e601da930abf7c66976f5ae11b10516660daf89aa53a9b1129a976a4a5f09799671be4a583cbea827d8ca636f68069bec8ab5f9ce1ecf73fe8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257787/cdc_257787_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 953.31 KB ]