Potential occupational and respiratory hazards in a Minnesota cannabis cultivation and processing facility

Abstract

Background: Cannabis has been legalized in some form for much of the United States.The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a health hazard evaluation request from a Minnesota cannabis facility and their union to undertake an evaluation.Surface wipe samples were collected for analysis of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiol, and cannabinol.Environmental air samples were collected for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endotoxins (limulus amebocyte lysate assay), and fungal diversity (NIOSH two-stage BC251 bioaerosol sampler with internal transcribed spacer region sequencing analysis).Results: Surface wipe samples identified Δ9-THC throughout the facility. Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione were measured in initial VOC screening and subsequent sampling during tasks where heat transference was greatest, though levels were well below the NIOSH recommended exposure limits. Endotoxin concentrations were highest during processing activities, while internal transcribed spacer region sequencing revealed that the Basidiomycota genus, Wallemia, had the highest relative abundance. Conclusions:To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of potential diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione exposure in the cannabis industry, most notably during cannabis decarboxylation. Endotoxin exposure was elevated during grinding, indicating that this is a potentially high-risk task. The findings indicate that potential health hazards of significance are present during cannabis processing, and employers should be aware of potential exposures to VOCs, endotoxin, and fungi. Further research into the degree of respiratory and dermal hazards and resulting health effects in this industry is recommended.

Occupational Allergies to Cannabis

“…Indeed, secondary sources of exposure including bacteria, fungi and endotoxin have recently been identified in several NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation studies. [65][66][67][68][69] Overall, the endotoxin levels measured were substantially lower than those reported in earlier studies of the European hemp industry and were lower than the Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Safety exposure limit of 90 EU/m 3 . 17, 70 16S gene sequencing of worker's breathing zone samples also identified a broad diversity of bacterial species including Actinobacteria.…”

Cannabis Cultivation Facilities: A Review of Their Air Quality Impacts from the Occupational to Community Scale

“…Reviews suggest that workers at CCFs are exposed to organic dust (molds, pollens, bacteria, other allergens, and bioaerosols), VOCs, fungicides, and pesticides. , While most prior investigations of occupational exposure have focused on hemp processing operations, − the cannabis industry has drawn more attention of late ,,,, due to legalization in some jurisdictions and distribution of products with higher cannabinoid content than hemp. Previous assessments of CCFs by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) detected the presence of Botrytis cinelea (a.k.a “gray mold”) in workers’ breathing zone, which can trigger hypersensitivity pneumonitis .…”

“…Previous assessments of CCFs by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) detected the presence of Botrytis cinelea (a.k.a “gray mold”) in workers’ breathing zone, which can trigger hypersensitivity pneumonitis . The presence of endotoxins in air samples was higher during processing activities, such as grinding, although the reported levels were below occupational exposure limits (see information about pollen in the Supporting Information).…”

“…Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted can also increase the formation of health-damaging pollutants such as ground-level ozone (O 3 ) , and particulate matter (PM) . These BVOC emissions also occur indoors at CCFs, which may represent an occupational hazard. , As a result, air quality regulators, public health agencies, and occupational health agencies have begun to explore options for curbing BVOC emissions at CCFs, − and the research community has identified an urgent need to characterize them. − …”

Cannabis vaping and health: regulatory considerations

“…‘popcorn lung') . There is now emerging evidence that these same flavoring chemicals are being added to cannabis products . Importantly, flavored vaping liquids have been available for several years now, and flavoring‐induced respiratory problems may require longer‐term, cumulative exposure.…”