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How Safe is Spice or K-2?

Published August 9, 2010 Cannabinoids , drug testing , Human Resources , JWH-018 , student drug testing , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized 2 Comments

One of my friends had surgery recently and has really had a very difficult time dealing with the pain from the surgery. Yesterday she made a comment on her Face Book page that she was going to ask her doctor for a prescription for a stronger pain medication. Someone “jokingly” recommended that she go buy some “Spice” since it is supposed to have the same effects as THC and is legal in Texas.

My heart about went to my throat! Knowing that we test for not only JWH-018 but also an entire Synthetic Cannabinoid panel and having done some reading on these substances I was hoping and praying that my friend would not follow through with that.

The reality is that no one really knows what the long term effects of using these synthetic cannabinoids have on the human body.  According to Marilyn Huestis, PhD, chief of chemistry and drug metabolism at the National Institute for Drug Abuse,  ”When you take these drugs, you are hijacking the part of the brain important for many functions: temperature control, food intake, perception, memory, and problem solving, and people taking these high-potency drugs are affecting other important functions throughout their bodies — hormone functions, for example.” To see more about the possible effects go to http://tinyurl.com/ykeawnf.

The standard drug tests do not detect for these synthetic cannabinoid drugs. It requires a specialized testing process. So many people are using this as a substitute for marijuana and when going for either pre-employment or random drug tests, testing negative.

Currently JWH-018 and the other Synthetic Cannabinoid drugs are not federally controlled in the United States. However, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency it is labeled as a “Drug and chemical of Concern” in 2009. While it may not be federally controlled, several states have passed or proposed legislative action against spice and some cannabinoids.

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota and Tennessee it is illegal (either to have in your possession or the sale of JWH-018 and/or other synthetic cannanbinoids) in all or parts of these states. The following states have either legislation proposed or impending enaction against JWH-018 and/or other synthetic cannanbinoids: Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas and Utah.

ExperTox interviewed on KHOU about K2 and Spice.

Published July 22, 2010 drug testing , Human Resources , Occupational health , Occupational medicine , Safety , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized Leave a Comment

ExperTox was interviewed regarding testing of the synthetic cannabinoids.  Are you concerned about K2 or Spice? See interview below at http://www.khou.com/home/KHOU-k2-pot-incense-high-98965774.html

What is Meconium Drug Testing?

Published June 28, 2010 drug testing , March for Babies , March of Dimes , Meconium drug testing , Perinatal Testing , Tests and Services , toxicology 1 Comment
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We have an acquaintance that is a foster parent to a child whose mother used drugs during her pregnancy.  He has multiple siblings, all in foster care.  The child is now nearly two and under continual medical and therapeutic care for learning disabilities, slow speech development, and gastrointestinal problems, among many others.  These long-term side effects were the consequences of his mother’s drug use during fetal development.

 According to the March of Dimes, nearly 4% of pregnant women use drugs.  Mothers between the ages of 15 – 17 have the highest incidence of drug use during pregnancy (National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA).

 So, how does a health professional know if a newborn has been exposed to drugs in utero?  They will test the first, possibly second, stool of the newborn, called meconium.  Fetuses begin forming waste material in their digestive system between 12 to 16 weeks’ gestation.  They pass the in utero waste either during the delivery process or soon after.  Doctors use meconium as an excellent specimen for drug testing if they suspect the mother may have used illicit substances.  Signs of use that physicians look for include:

  • Premature birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Mother’s past history of use or abuse
  • Small head circumference
  • Newborn signs of withdrawal
  • Stillbirth

 Meconium is an excellent specimen because it retains drug metabolites for up to 5 months, whereas newborn urine drug testing reflects only the last few days prior to excretion.  Unfortunately, drug use during pregnancy can affect the newborn child both short-term and long-term.  The child may exhibit signs of:

  • Drug withdrawal symptoms
  • Behavioral, development and learning disorders
  • Seizures
  • Hyperactivity
  • Birth defects

 What is most critical to caring physicians is getting the test results before the mother leaves the hospital.  Based on the test results, social services intervention may be necessary, and the child may be immediately placed in foster care.  Today, hospitals are releasing new mothers within 24 to 48 hours of delivery.  If test results are not received within this period of time, there is a high likelihood mom and baby will “disappear”, making intervention much more difficult.

How To Perform Nail Specimen Collections for Drug Testing

Published June 22, 2010 drug testing , Human Resources , nail testing , Occupational health , Safety , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology 4 Comments
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Did you know that fingernails and toenails make excellent specimens for drug testing?  The same drugs that can be detected in samples like urine, oral fluid and hair can also be detected in nails.  This means when that employee or candidate shows up for their drug test bald with their body completely shaved, we’ve got another surprise for them!

As you will see in this video, all ten fingernail or toenail tips are clipped first.  The detection period from clippings only is for 30 days, 6 months ago.  Do you want to know if someone was using drugs during the entire six month period?  If so, the collector will then lightly shave the surface of all ten nails.  The detection period between the lunula (the “white moon” of the nail) and where the clippings ended is about 5 months. 

Both the clippings and shavings are then submitted to ExperTox for testing.  Here is how the collection is performed:

Waiter, One Bottle of Hand Sanitizer, Please

Published June 14, 2010 alcohol , Poisoning , Safety , toxicology 3 Comments
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Unless you are a seasoned connoisseur of fine Scotch or whisky, drinking a proper alcoholic beverage may be a scorching experience that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.  Now, can you just imagine drinking a few pumps of hand sanitizer?

It appears to be one of the drinks of choice for young people in middle school through college.  When the H1N1 “pandemic” erupted last year, many public facilities were placing hand sanitizer dispensers within their facilities to reduce the chances of spreading germs.  However, many had to take them out as quickly as they put them in.  Why?  Because people were stealing the hand sanitizer bottles and bags for consumption.

There is a word of warning on every bottle of hand sanitizer, “for external use only”.  This has yet to stop someone looking for a quick feeling of intoxication.  Hand sanitizer contains may contain ethyl alcohol and/or isopropyl alcohol, ranging from 60% to 95% alcohol content.  Purell’s website reflects a 65% alcohol content in its hand sanitizer, and GermX shows 62%.  Ethyl alcohol is the same alcohol found in drinking alcohol; however, it is also found in perfumes, shaving lotions and mouthwash.

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, including our friend, the Southeast Texas Poison Control Center, there were nearly 12,000 cases of hand sanitizer ingestion poisonings in 2006.

Besides ingesting in a liquid form, hand sanitizer is also abused as an inhalant.  Young people are coating their hands with the hand sanitizer, covering their nose and mouth, then “huffing” deeply.  This is similar to inhaling spray paint or fingernail polish remover (see our prior blog on Substance Abuse In A Can – Inhalants).

Are you still having trouble believing this, knowing just the smell of hand sanitizer is bad enough, let alone the taste?  Check out these videos posted on YouTube – your eyes may be opened.

If you have experienced a situation involving hand sanitizer abuse, please share how you figured out what is going on.

Will the Oil Spill Effect You?

Published June 7, 2010 Food Poisoning , Occupational Exposure Testing , Poisoning , Tests and Services , toxicology , Toxins 2 Comments
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By now just about everyone has heard about the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We are now into the second month of oil spilling into the waters. How will this effect you? If you are not an off-shore worker you may be thinking “probably not much”. You may be wrong. Because this particular spill is actually located nearly a mile below the surface of the water, it’s toxicity effects the entire ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico.

There is plentiful life in the deep sea that’s in danger: fish, deep-sea corals, gelatinous zooplankton like jellyfish, and benthic-dwelling sharks, not to mention the diverse communites of shrimp, crabs, worms, and other critters that live there. “It’s like a lush jungle down there,” Joye says. (Dr. Samantha (Mandy) B. Joye, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia) Even if oil exposure doesn’t kill these organisms, it could have chronic, long-term effects, like impaired growth or reproduction. Over time, any impact on the deep-sea communities is likely to have more broad effects, since the whole ocean is connected by various biological processes. “All the different zones of life are interactive in one way or another,” says Lisa Levin, a marine ecologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

What this means is that in the short term, workers and residents close to the spill will be exposed to vapors produced, or released by the oil and associated gases. In the long term, workers, residents and those who eat food from the Gulf of Mexico could be exposed to a food supply contaminated by oil by-products such as arsenic, lead, mercury, zinc, chromium-6 and other toxic elements.  Will this be enough to actually harm a person? At this point no one really knows – it is too soon to tell.

What??? Are They Now Smoking Flowers From My Garden? – Salvia Divinorum

Published May 10, 2010 drug testing , Poisoning , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized 7 Comments
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No, Salvia Divinorum is not your standard, pretty flower garden variety.  Salvia Divinorum, which we will refer to as “Salvia” was first used by the Mazatec Indian shamans in Oaxaca, Mexico during spiritual healing sessions.  It is a perennial herb native to the Sierra Mazatecas in Mexico, classified in the mint family that when ingested, temporarily gives the user hallucinogenic effects somewhat similar to LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.

Does it ever run through your head, “what are people going to think of trying next?”.  It does ours.  Add salvia to K2, Spice and other herbal incense products.  These herbs are being used to replace marijuana and other drugs because they are, for the most part, not regulated by U.S. drug laws.  However, there are some states that have passed laws banning the ingestion of salvia because of its psychoactive component, Salvinorin A.  SAMHSHA estimated that in 2006, 1.8 million people over the age of 12 had tried ingesting salvia, either by chewing or smoking it, at least once, an increase over the 2000 estimate of 750,000.

So why would anyone want to ingest salvia?  To begin with, in most cases it is not an illegal “drug”.  Interestingly, the high is very short term, generally lasting only a few minutes up to one-half hour, though the duration depends on the way it is ingested, the concentration of Salvinorin A, and how much is consumed.  Many parents are concerned with the use of salvia by their young teens and college-age children.  Symptoms parents should watch for include:

  • Psychedelic experiences
  • Uncontrollable laughter
  • Expressing past memories
  • Sensations of motion
  • A sense of merging with or becoming objects
  • Improved mood
  • Feelings of calmness

Salvia is not detected in a standard 5 or 10 panel drug test, so its use may not be known in many cases.  To add to the challenge, the detection period is very short, as it metabolized through the body rapidly.  Blood or urine are the most common specimens submitted for testing.  Blood must be collected within one hour after ingestion in a gray top tube; and urine within twenty-four hours or the likelihood of detection is minimal.  Specimens must be protected from light and frozen because salvia’s psychoactive components  break down quickly.

If you suspect our child or employee may be using salvia to get high, it is important to test them immediately for the greatest chance at detection.

How Concerned Are You About Purchasing or Renting a Former Meth Lab?

Published April 13, 2010 drug testing , Hair testing , methamphetamine , Poisoning , Safety , Tests and Services , toxicology Leave a Comment
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With the new season of “Breaking Bad” that started in March, there seems to be a lot of discussion regarding former methamphetamine labs that are set up in apartments and houses. The Drug Enforcement Agency has seized a number of these meth labs, and has listed the addresses of these houses on their  National Clandestine Laboratory Register. However, we have received a few inquiries from individuals that are concerned they may have purchased a former “kitchen”. If the DEA is seizing these facilities, why are they worried?

Unlike many other drugs, the production of methamphetamine is extremely toxic, and its byproducts linger, either as waste or residue on the property for a long time, depending on the types of chemicals used, their concentration, quantity and the length of time they were “cooking”. A homeowner or lessor may not understand the environmental impact or toxic effects of these labs, and may choose to remove all equipment and chemicals without notifying law enforcement, then just ventilate the residence and complete standard repairs such as carpet replacement and painting. Residues linger in air vents, HVAC systems, drywall and even concrete.

Here’s an interesting fact gathered from the The Partnership For Drug-Free America website – one (1) pound of methamphetamine produces 5 to 6 pounds of toxic waste, oftentimes poured down the drain or directly into the ground. If proper toxic cleanup does not occur, future residents may suffer from a wide array of symptoms, including a lingering cough and chest pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and decreased motor skills. The long-term effects may include cancer, organ damage and birth defects.

The fact is, meth production in the U.S. is small potatoes compared to the international super labs; however, “mom and pop” shops do exist, in all economic levels. Meth houses have been found in trailers, as well as expensive homes. So, are average home buyers really concerned? If so, what steps are you taking to avoid purchasing a former meth house? If not, why?

We appreciate your input and look forward to learning from you.

Breastfeeding? Milk Screen™ may be the test for you.

Published April 5, 2010 alcohol , drug testing , Safety , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized 1 Comment
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Welcome our guest blogger this week, Julie Juminillo, Founder and Chief Product Officer with UpSpring Baby.  UpSpring Baby’s Milk Screen™ , a home test for alcohol in breast milk gives mothers that are breastfeeding peace of mind, while giving them the freedom to have occasional drink to celebrate, enjoy during dinner, or on girls night out.  Now moms have a way to ensure their breast milk is safe for their child, even if they have one or two drinks.  Watch this amazing video to learn more in celebration of Alcohol Awareness Month:

Breath Alcohol Analysis

Published March 29, 2010 drug testing , Human Resources , Occupational health , Occupational medicine , Safety , Tests and Services , toxicology 1 Comment
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Everyday we hear and read about drivers involved in accidents who are charged with DUI or DWI.  The media will discuss a suspect’s breath alcohol level and the legal limit for alcohol.  A driver might be found to have an alcohol level of 0.15 and the legal limit is 0.08.  You probably hear or read the media discuss a “Breathalyzer” being used to test the suspected driver’s alcohol level but are not sure how breath can determine a blood alcohol level or how much someone has had to drink.

Interesting Historical Note:

The terms “Breathalyser” and” Breathalyzer” have become synonymous with all breath alcohol testing equipment.  Both names are trademarked and originated from an instrument invented by Dr. R.F. Borkenstein who worked for the Indiana State Police. It was invented in 1954 and the technology behind it is still used today. This fact is for those of you who aspire to appear on” Jeopardy” or” Who Wants to be a Millionaire”.

Back to business…How do you get a blood alcohol level from breath you ask?

Alcohol that a person drinks will always appear in their breath.  This is because alcohol is absorbed from the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines into the blood stream.  Alcohol is not digested like food or chemically changed in the blood when it is absorbed.  When blood passes through the lungs some of the ingested alcohol travels across the membranes of the lungs air sacs or alveoli and moves into the air.  This process is one of alcohol’s main properties of evaporating from a volatile solution.

So…the alcohol concentration from lung air is directly related to the alcohol concentration in the blood.  It can be detected by a breath alcohol testing device. 

What are the best ways to test blood alcohol concentration levels (BAC)?

Blood was the original medium used to test BAC’s.   A blood test offers the ability to accurately test the same sample several times, if the sample is properly maintained.  On the down side, blood tests are invasive and analysis time is longer.  The collection process requires trained medical personnel and the analysis requires precise procedures performed by trained lab technicians.  The results are not immediately available.  The test is also expensive.

Breath Alcohol Testing is very accurate, noninvasive, inexpensive and can be performed anywhere.  There is extensive training required and procedures to be followed but you do not have to have medical personnel to perform the test.  It can also be performed anywhere.  That is why it used by law enforcement, medical and safety personnel, and educators to name a few.

Urine testing may also be performed to test BAC.  It is the least desirable of all the methods.  It must be collected in a lab or medical facility and analysis be done by trained lab technicians in much the same manner as the blood test.  It is also expensive and not as accurate as blood or breath.

At ExperTox, we can collect and perform all 3 types of alcohol tests.  In our Occupational Health department we offer DOT and Non-Dot alcohol and drug testing.  We also perform court ordered and tests for the private sector.  We normally do breath alcohol tests unless another type is specified by the client.

There are four types of breath alcohol tests:

  • Screening – A device is used to test a subject to see if BAC is above limits set by employers or state laws.
  • Evidential – A test is done to collect evidence of BAC to be used in court or industry such as post accident cases, reasonable suspicion of use on the job or in traffic violations, and follow-up testing  for previous positive tests.
  • Interlock – Tests are designated for permanent connection to an electrical system of a vehicle; its purpose is to prevent or deter its operation by persons with alcohol in their system.
  • Self Test- Used by people to check their own BAC before working or driving. These have a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility but are not admissible in court.

There are three major types of breath alcohol testing devices, and there based on different principles:

  • Alcosensor – Detects a chemical reaction of alcohol in a fuel cell
  • Breathalyzer – Uses a chemical reaction involving alcohol that produces a color change
  • Intoxilyzer – Detects alcohol by infrared spectroscopy

We use Alcosensor at ExperTox for breath alcohol testing.  They are extremely accurate, dependable, easy to use and portable.  Intoxilyzer instruments are mainly used for research and by law enforcement. They are desk top devices and are stationary.  Breathalyzers are also not used for field work and are more difficult to use and maintain.  Operators of any breath alcohol testing device must be trained in use and calibration of the device.  Scrupulous records must be maintained.

What are your best bets?

If you insist on drinking and driving, just know you can’t hold your breath long enough to avoid the consequences.  Cover-ups such as gum or mints will not do the trick.  Your best option is a designated driver or taxi.

Friday afternoons may seem like a time to celebrate, but a beer or two at lunch could get you into real trouble, either by having an accident that might injure yourself or others or by getting caught as a safety violation.  Just expect when you blow, your employer will know…. the truth.

Lou Ann Enis, Registered Nurse and Occupational Health Supervisor

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ExperTox® is a recognized forensic toxicology laboratory, combining advanced technology and science with a human heart.

We use our scientific expertise to provide our customers answers to their substance abuse, use and exposure questions.

We focus our personal character on supporting, caring for and understanding what our clients are going through as they contemplate and proceed through the testing process.

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