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Passive inhalation of cocaine
E J Cone1, D Yousefnejad, M J Hillsgrove
1Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Passive cocaine smoke exposure in controlled and naturalistic settings resulted in minimal absorption, insufficient to trigger positive drug tests. Even significant exposure did not exceed the 1 mg threshold for positive urine screens.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Understanding passive exposure risks is crucial for accurate drug testing.
- Previous studies have not fully quantified cocaine absorption from environmental smoke exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cocaine absorption and excretion following passive inhalation of freebase cocaine (crack) smoke.
- To determine if passive exposure can lead to positive urine drug test results.
Main Methods:
- Controlled exposure of volunteers to heated freebase cocaine vapor in an unventilated room.
- Collection and analysis of blood and urine specimens for cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine.
- Measurement of cocaine in room air to estimate inhaled dose.
- Observation of research staff passively exposed to crack smoke in a naturalistic setting.
Main Results:
- Controlled passive exposure (0.25 mg inhaled) resulted in low benzoylecgonine levels (22-123 ng/mL) and minimal urinary excretion (0.04-0.21 mg).
- Pharmacological effects were not detected, and blood tests were negative for cocaine.
- Naturalistic exposure to crack smokers yielded even lower levels (max 6 ng/mL benzoylecgonine).
- Intravenous cocaine administration indicated that approximately 1 mg is needed to produce a positive urine screen.
Conclusions:
- Passive exposure to cocaine smoke, even under artificial conditions, leads to absorption insufficient to exceed standard drug testing cutoffs (e.g., 300 ng/mL).
- Significant passive exposure, potentially exceeding 1 mg of absorbed cocaine, could theoretically result in a positive urine test.
- Current drug testing cutoffs are unlikely to be triggered by typical passive cocaine smoke exposure.