title: Illicit psychotropic substances in the air: The state-of-art.
abstract: The occurrence of psychotropic substances (PSs) in the air is known since long time. Recently, attention was paid to illicit PS, with most investigations undertaken in Italy and Spain. In general, collection of illicit substances was performed through aspirating airborne particulates onto filters; afterwards, gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry were applied for the PS evaluation. Over twenty substances could be characterized simultaneously. Cocaine concentrations up to 17ngm(-3) were observed in Latin America, while this substance was absent (<0.003ngm(-3)) in Algiers (Algeria) and Pančevo (Serbia). Cannabinoids (comprising the psycho-active principle Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) were high in the winter and very low in the summer (up to 6ngm(-3) and <0.1ngm(-3), respectively). Many other substances (e.g., heroin, ephedrine and drug by-products) occurred less frequently and at lesser extents (<20pgm(-3)). In Rome (Italy), investigations were carried out in interiors of dwellings, schools, an office and a coffee bar, all sites resulting affected by drugs. Besides, solid phase microextraction methods were applied to detect ketamine and methamphetamine in interiors. The PS concentrations depended on substance, physical-chemical contour, and internal or external type of locations. Air monitoring allows detecting the drug consumption or preparation, because illicit substances prevail in sites frequented by abusers.
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29.3, p. o. box 10, 00015 Monterotondo RM, Italy. Electronic address: cecinato@iia.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cecinato
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29.3, p. o. box 10, 00015 Monterotondo RM, Italy. Electronic address: balducci@iia.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Catia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balducci
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29.3, p. o. box 10, 00015 Monterotondo RM, Italy. Electronic address: perilli@iia.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perilli
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis*; D007558:Italy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D055771:Serbia; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: Airborne particulates; Amphetamines; Cocaine; Indoor pollution; Psychotropic substances; Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol