title: Detecting biomarkers of secondhand marijuana smoke in young children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of secondhand marijuana smoke exposure on children is unknown. New methods allow detection of secondhand marijuana smoke in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied children ages 1 mo to 2 y hospitalized with bronchiolitis in Colorado from 2013 to 2015. Parents completed a survey, and urine samples were analyzed for cotinine using LC/MS/MS (limits of detection 0.03 ng/ml) and marijuana metabolites including COOH-THC (limits of detection 0.015 ng/ml).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 43 subjects had urine samples available for analysis. Most (77%) of the subjects were male, and 52% were less than 1 y of age. COOH-THC was detectable in 16% of the samples analyzed (THC+); the range in COOH-THC concentration was 0.03-1.5 ng/ml. Two subjects had levels >1 ng/ml. Exposure did not differ by gender or age. Non-white children had more exposure than white children (44 vs. 9%; P < 0.05). 56% of children with cotinine >2.0 ng/ml were THC+, compared with 7% of those with lower cotinine (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metabolites of marijuana smoke can be detected in children; in this cohort, 16% were exposed. Detectable COOH-THC is more common in children with tobacco smoke exposure. More research is needed to assess the health impacts of marijuana smoke exposure on children and inform public health policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.|American Academy of Pediatrics Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence, Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence, Elk Grove Village, Illinois.|ACCORDS, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Torok
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Binnian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Lanqing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Connie S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Sosnoff
authors.affiliation: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Benjamin C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Blount
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003120:Colorado; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine*; D010290:Parents; D012737:Sex Factors; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016482:Urinalysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012906:Smoke; D013759:Dronabinol; D003367:Cotinine