Methamphetamine Contamination in Household Materials and the Effect of Skin Oil
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Environmental Engineering
Research Advisor
Morrison, Glenn
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S& T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program
Abstract
The production of methamphetamine releases harmful chemicals into the air, which can then diffuse into and accumulate within the building structure, and later be 're-emitted' and cause absorption of methamphetamine into furnishings, clothing, and children's toys. People living in post-laboratory homes could be exposed to harmful levels of methamphetamine. In this research, we exposed clothing, skin oil contaminated clothing, furnishings, and children's toys to vapor phase methamphetamine in a laboratory chamber. We were able to determine the relationship between the concentration of methamphetamine in air (40ppb) and that which will accumulate in furnishings, clothing, skin oil, and children's toys. An implication of our findings is there is a risk of children ingesting more than 0.3μg/kg/day (California reference dose, actual values of child ingestion could be as great as 2.12 μg/kg/day for upholstery material) if they are mouthing exposed materials.
Biography
Julia Kuebrich is currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Science at Missouri S& Tin Environmental Engineering with a minor in Geological Engineering. Originally from Alton, IL, she plans to graduate in May 2013.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Engineering poster session, Second place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
03 Apr 2013, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Methamphetamine Contamination in Household Materials and the Effect of Skin Oil
Upper Atrium/Hallway
The production of methamphetamine releases harmful chemicals into the air, which can then diffuse into and accumulate within the building structure, and later be 're-emitted' and cause absorption of methamphetamine into furnishings, clothing, and children's toys. People living in post-laboratory homes could be exposed to harmful levels of methamphetamine. In this research, we exposed clothing, skin oil contaminated clothing, furnishings, and children's toys to vapor phase methamphetamine in a laboratory chamber. We were able to determine the relationship between the concentration of methamphetamine in air (40ppb) and that which will accumulate in furnishings, clothing, skin oil, and children's toys. An implication of our findings is there is a risk of children ingesting more than 0.3μg/kg/day (California reference dose, actual values of child ingestion could be as great as 2.12 μg/kg/day for upholstery material) if they are mouthing exposed materials.
