Si Jia Chan, Ngak Lee Tan-Lee, Chi Pang Lui, Hooi Yan Moy
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study evaluates the methamphetamine contamination routes through exposure to sweat, smoke in the environment and direct contact, as well as the effectiveness of decontamination procedures. For sweat exposure, drug-free hair samples (n = 10) were sprayed with artificial sweat containing amphetamine and methamphetamine at either 'low' (2.6 and 6.5 ng/mL, respectively) or 'high' concentration (3.1 and 25.2 ng/mL, respectively), 5 times (2 mL each time) per day for 5 days. In the smoke exposure, 2 mg of methamphetamine hydrochloride powder was heated and vapourised on one side of an enclosed cardboard box containing hair (n = 10) on the other side. In the direct contact with methamphetamine powder, 0.6 mg of methamphetamine hydrochloride was rubbed gently by hand onto hair (n = 5) for 1 min. Each contaminated hair sample was then subjected to either one of the 3 wash methods, namely, (1) sequential wash using dichloromethane, water, and methanol; (2) sequential wash by hexane and acetone; and (3) methanol wash only. All solvents and hair samples were analysed. The results show that it was relatively difficult to remove methamphetamine from the hair that was exposed to methamphetamine in artificial sweat, followed by methamphetamine smoke and then direct contact with the methamphetamine powder. None of the wash methods was able to completely remove amphetamine and methamphetamine from the contaminated hair. Overall, methods (1) and (3) show better decontamination efficacy than method (2), probably due to the polar protic nature of the solvents.
期刊介绍:
As the incidence of drugs escalates in 21st century living, their detection and analysis have become increasingly important. Sport, the workplace, crime investigation, homeland security, the pharmaceutical industry and the environment are just some of the high profile arenas in which analytical testing has provided an important investigative tool for uncovering the presence of extraneous substances.
In addition to the usual publishing fare of primary research articles, case reports and letters, Drug Testing and Analysis offers a unique combination of; ‘How to’ material such as ‘Tutorials’ and ‘Reviews’, Speculative pieces (‘Commentaries’ and ‘Perspectives'', providing a broader scientific and social context to the aspects of analytical testing), ‘Annual banned substance reviews’ (delivering a critical evaluation of the methods used in the characterization of established and newly outlawed compounds).
Rather than focus on the application of a single technique, Drug Testing and Analysis employs a unique multidisciplinary approach to the field of controversial compound determination. Papers discussing chromatography, mass spectrometry, immunological approaches, 1D/2D gel electrophoresis, to name just a few select methods, are welcomed where their application is related to any of the six key topics listed below.