Study finds cocaine in the air

[1cooldude]

Spanish scientists have detected the presence of cocaine in the air of Madrid and Barcelona by using a new technique for the first time, a research institute said Wednesday.

The scientists looked for 17 components in five different types of illegal drugs -- cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid.

The results revealed cocaine is the predominant drug in the air of the two cities, the CSIC institute said.

It was found in concentrations of 29 to 850 picogrammes per cubic metre of air. A picogramme is one trillionth of a gramme.

The study is the result of the first use of a new method for the detection of drugs in the air, adapted specifically for the researchers, who are to publish their results in the review "Analytical Chemistry".

"Heroin was also found in detectable levels in the samples taken in Madrid, but not in those from Barcelona," the CSIC said.

This it explained by the fact that the area of Madrid where the sample was taken is close to a district where drug dealers are suspected of operating.

The scientists also reported a higher concentration of the components during the weekend, "suggesting higher consumption this time."

But it said there was no reason for the public to be concerned.

"Even if we lived 1,000 years we would not consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine through the air," said one of the scientists, Miren Lopez de Alda.

Source...

[Drew Wilson]

Boy, the war on drugs really is up in the air right now.

[fleecy]

smell that nice fresh air! *snort*

[1cooldude]

I read somewhere that after DEA did some analysis on paper notes within south Florida, 35% of $20 bills had traces of "coke". I'm guessing that the Spaniards are getting just the wiff of this dust across the Atlantic.:chairfall:

[drtoker]

Don't test the air around my house please...

[mountain_rage]

This could be a useful tool for law enforcement. If they could somehow develop this into a portable van unit, officers could simply drive around looking for the highest concentrations and just scope areas that reach some predetermined value of interest.

[1cooldude]

I am not sure they could actually pin point the area of interest with a presence of microscopic particles in the air.

[Signa]

Well, you can now say that "there must be something in the air there."

[mountain_rage]

I am not sure they could actually pin point the area of interest with a presence of microscopic particles in the air.

Well theoretically, if the particles are being dispersed evenly with the air currents, than you would expect there to be a greater concentration of particles closer to the source. If you map out the source through some triangulations you may be able to find it. Granted the physics pan out so ideally, and the sensor has a good enough accuracy.

[thepuzzler]

850 TRILLIONTHS of a GRAM in a Cubic METER really is fuck all.

[Excrement_Cranium]

This could be a useful tool for law enforcement. If they could somehow develop this into a portable van unit, officers could simply drive around looking for the highest concentrations and just scope areas that reach some predetermined value of interest.

Actually, I knew a guy here in my town that was a robotics designer, who had basically done that for meth.