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Elemental Composition of Commercially Available Cannabis Rolling Papers
Derek Wright1, Michelle M Jarvie1, Benjamin Southwell1
1School of Chemistry, Environmental, and Geosciences, Lake Superior State University, 650 W. Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783, United States.
ACS Omega
|May 6, 2024
Summary
Rolling papers may contain toxic elements like copper, chromium, and vanadium, posing health risks to frequent cannabis users. Manufacturers should address elemental composition to ensure consumer safety.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Materials Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cannabis legalization has increased focus on product safety and contaminant impacts.
- Rolling papers' elemental composition is largely unregulated, posing potential health risks.
- Limited research exists on toxic element exposure from smoking papers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify elemental concentrations in rolling papers.
- To estimate potential human exposure to these elements.
- To assess risks relative to pharmaceutical safety standards.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 26 elements in commercially available rolling papers.
- Estimation of potential maximum exposures.
- Comparison with United States Pharmacopeia (USP232) and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH Q3D) guidelines.
Main Results:
- Elevated concentrations of several elements (Ag, Ca, Ba, Cu, Ti, Cr, Sb) were detected.
- Copper-based pigments are likely used in some products.
- Estimated exposures for Cu, Cr, and V may exceed safe limits for frequent users (4.5-11 times).
Conclusions:
- Rolling papers can be a source of potentially hazardous elemental exposure.
- Product design and manufacturing processes contribute to elevated element levels.
- Further research is needed to assess real-world exposure risks during smoking.
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