Occupational Cocaine Exposure of Crime Laboratory Personnel Preparing Training Aids for a Military Working Dog Program

Abstract

The potential for passive cocaine exposure was evaluated in crime laboratory employees preparing training aids for a military working dog program (MWD). The primary goal of the study was to elucidate the routes of exposure and implement procedural changes that would minimize this risk. Several work environments and laboratory procedures were examined by monitoring personal breathing zones (PBZ), ambient airborne cocaine levels in the laboratory spaces, and urinary levels of the primary cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine. The study was performed initially using current laboratory procedures to establish a baseline and to identify potential sources of exposure. A subsequent study was performed to determine the effectiveness of the follow-up procedure in reducing exposure. As a result of the changes, the 8-h time weighted averages (TWAs) were 40 to 80% lower in the follow-up study as compared to the baseline assessment. Dermal absorption and PBZ inhalation of cocaine during manufacture were likely the most significant source of cocaine exposure. Ambient airborne cocaine may have also contributed to the total exposure, but for most observations, the concentrations were significantly less than those determined from PBZ monitoring. The maximum ambient cocaine concentration was 0.0144 mg/m(3) compared to a maximum of 0.4004 mg/m(3) observed during PBZ monitoring. Occupational exposure decreased in the follow-up study because of the proper use of personal protective equipment and improvements in engineering controls.

Forensic Science

“…A comparison of urine, skin swabs, and sweat patches for the detection of drugs, including cocaine, has been reported using immunoassays and GC/MS (519). Occupational cocaine exposure of crime laboratory personnel has been studied (520). A LC/MS method for the determination of opiates and cocaine in meconium has been described (521).…”

Evaluation of occupational exposures to illicit drugs at controlled substances laboratories.

“…In general, personal fentanyl and cocaine air exposures in this evaluation were much lower than those measured in similar studies or evaluations [Le et al 1992;Gehlhausen et al 2003;Van Nimmen et al 2006]. None of the interviewed employees reported any symptoms related to handling cocaine or opioids at work, and OSHA 300 Logs revealed only one employee with reported symptoms possibly associated with PCP.…”

“…In simulated cocaine evidence processing, the researchers measured concentrations 68-6,400 µg/m 3 , which is much higher than exposures we measured [Le et al 1992]. In an evaluation of cocaine exposure among crime laboratory employees preparing training aids for military working dogs, personal air exposures to cocaine were measured at 29.20-69.94 µg/m 3 [Gehlhausen et al 2003]. These personal air exposures decreased to 11.00-18.09 µg/m 3 following interventions that included changing procedures, using a laboratory hood during all manufacturing functions, fit testing for respirators, and providing more rigorous training on PPE use [Gehlhausen et al 2003].…”

“…In an evaluation of cocaine exposure among crime laboratory employees preparing training aids for military working dogs, personal air exposures to cocaine were measured at 29.20-69.94 µg/m 3 [Gehlhausen et al 2003]. These personal air exposures decreased to 11.00-18.09 µg/m 3 following interventions that included changing procedures, using a laboratory hood during all manufacturing functions, fit testing for respirators, and providing more rigorous training on PPE use [Gehlhausen et al 2003]. These employees' exposures, before and after intervention, were also much higher than exposures we measured.…”