The first-of-its-kind study conducted in downtown Auckland, New Zealand and Australia has detected the presence of methamphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the air. The study provides evidence of the widespread presence of these substances in the urban environment, raising concerns about potential exposure and public health implications. The findings highlight the need for further research and awareness of the presence of these substances in the air in urban areas, and their potential impact on human health and the environment.
Scientists from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, analyzed traces caught by filters at a pollution monitoring site located on Customs St, near the bottom of Queen St. The filters were used to capture air samples for analysis, and the study revealed the presence of methamphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the air at that location. This study provides valuable data on the presence of these substances in the urban environment, specifically in downtown Auckland, and underscores the need for continued monitoring and research on air pollution and its potential impacts on public health and the environment.
According to the findings of the study conducted by Master of Science student Olivia Johnson and Dr Joel Rindelaub, a research fellow in the School of Chemical Sciences at the University of Auckland, the largest concentration of meth detected in the air was 104 picograms per cubic meter. It's worth noting that a picogram is equivalent to one-trillionth of a gram, highlighting the sensitivity of the measurements used in the study. This information provides quantitative data on the levels of methamphetamine present in the air at the monitoring site, shedding light on the extent of methamphetamine pollution in the downtown Auckland area.
The average for 10 samples over five weeks was 24.8 picograms per cubic metre.
The scientists who conducted the study, as published in the journal Atmospheric Pollution Research, noted that assuming an active dose of 5 milligrams and an estimated inhalation of 16 cubic meters of air per person each day, it would take an individual over 8,000 years to inhale an active dose of methamphetamine based on the concentrations detected in the downtown Auckland air. This indicates that the levels of methamphetamine detected in the air are extremely low and unlikely to pose an immediate health risk to individuals in the area. However, it's important to continue monitoring and understanding the implications of such pollutants on public health and the environment.
The study conducted in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, found that methamphetamine concentrations in the air were higher compared to some overseas cities like Barcelona. The concentrations of airborne methamphetamine spiked during the week leading up to the Christmas holidays and also over New Year's Eve. This suggests that there may be localized events or activities during these times that result in increased emissions of methamphetamine into the air. Further research and monitoring may be needed to better understand the sources and dynamics of airborne methamphetamine in urban environments and its potential implications for public health and the environment.
Nicotine, a common component of tobacco smoke, had the highest average concentration among the four drugs studied, with an average concentration of 4.91 nanograms per cubic meter of air in downtown Auckland. This concentration was lower than in many cities overseas, indicating that nicotine levels in the air were relatively moderate in comparison. The findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring of air quality in urban areas to better understand the levels of nicotine and other substances in the air and their potential impacts on public health.
Caffeine, which is commonly found in coffee and other beverages, as well as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive component of cannabis, were both detected at lower average concentrations in the downtown Auckland air compared to studies conducted in other locations. This suggests that the levels of caffeine and THC in the air from sources such as takeaway coffee steam and cannabis smoking were relatively lower in Auckland compared to other areas. However, the presence of these substances in the air still indicates potential exposure and underscores the need for continued monitoring and research on air quality in urban environments.
Dr. Joel Rindelaub, a research fellow in the School of Chemical Sciences, noted that the results of the study are not as alarming as they may sound from the headlines. However, he emphasized that the findings highlight the lack of comprehensive knowledge about the composition of the air we breathe. This underscores the need for further research and monitoring to better understand the presence and potential impacts of various substances in the air, including drugs and other pollutants, on public health and environmental quality.
For context, concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 particulates in the air are typically measured in micrograms (one millionth of a gram).
Airborne monitoring of drugs could serve as a complementary approach to existing methods such as wastewater analyses, which are used to track drug consumption in communities across the country. Wastewater analyses typically focus on detecting drugs like cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and MDMA in sewage systems, while airborne monitoring provides additional insights into the presence of drugs in the ambient air. Combining these approaches could provide a more comprehensive understanding of drug use patterns and their potential impacts on public health and the environment.
The technique of airborne monitoring of drugs could potentially streamline the assessment of policy effectiveness, such as restrictions on tobacco products. Furthermore, caffeine concentrations in the air appear to align with urban pedestrian counts, indicating a potential proxy for measuring urban activity levels.
Hamish Patel, a PhD candidate and air quality scientist at Mote Ltd., and Associate Professor Gordon Miskelly also worked on the study, which used liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to analyse samples collected from 7 December 2020 to 11 January 2021.
The study, which is the first of its kind in Oceania, focused on the detection of methamphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, and THC in the air, leaving open the possibility that other drugs may be present in the air without being detected. This highlights the need for further research and monitoring to better understand the composition of airborne drugs in the region.
In a separate study published in December, Rindelaub and his colleagues revealed that microplastics present in Auckland's air are estimated to be equivalent to over 3 million plastic bottles falling from the sky every year. This highlights the pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment and the need for further research and action to address the issue of plastic pollution in the air.
Rindelaub's research on pollution goes beyond outdoor air monitoring, as he also found indications of polyester, nylon, and PVC in the air of a university lecture theatre where he was delivering a TEDx talk on pollution. This underscores that indoor air pollution is also a concern, with potentially harmful substances present in the air we breathe even in enclosed spaces. Further investigation and awareness of indoor air quality are important for promoting healthier environments for human health and well-being.
Over 3,300 premature deaths per year are related to air pollution in Aotearoa, Rindelaub says.
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