NCJ Number
138333
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 37 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 959-968
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Because the possibility of exposure to cocaine as a result of analyzing it or handling material contaminated by it has been a major concern of laboratory personnel, several different work environments and simulated situations were examined to assess the likelihood of such exposure occurring.
Abstract
Urine specimens were collected in plastic bottles containing approximately 100 mg of ascorbic acid to prevent the breakdown of cocaine to benzoylecgonine by maintaining an acidic pH. Specimens were then analyzed for cocaine and benzoylecgonine using an automated analyzer. All presumptive and negative specimens were scheduled for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmation. Experiments involved laboratory management personnel, criminalists, and fingerprint identification specialists. Findings indicated that cocaine exposure of laboratory personnel occurred. Levels of absorption in most instances were low; they did not produce positive results for benzoylecgonine by immunoassay at the 300 ng/mL cutoff level. Low levels of benzoylecgonine, however, were detected by GC/MS. It was also determined that prolonged exposure to airborne cocaine dust can produce significant urinary cocaine and benzoylecgonine concentrations. The experiments emphasize the need to use caution when dealing with cocaine evidence and indicate that criminalists can significantly limit the amount of cocaine exposure by wearing a face mask, latex gloves, safety goggles, and a laboratory coat when analyzing cocaine evidence. 10 references, 7 tables, and 1 figure