| |
Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 30, Number 8, October 2006,
pp.490-500
External Contamination of Hair with Cocaine: Evaluation
of External Cocaine Contamination and Development of Performance-Testing Materials
Peter R. Stout, Jeri D. Ropero-Miller, Michael R. Baylor, and John M.
Mitchell
Center for Forensic Sciences, RTI International‡, 3040 Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
The National Laboratory Certification Program undertook an evaluation
of the dynamics of external contamination of hair with cocaine (COC) while developing
performance testing materials for Federal Drug-Free Workplace Programs. This
characterization was necessary to develop performance materials that could evaluate
the efficacy of hair testing industry’s decontamination procedures. Hair
locks (blonde to dark brown/black) from five different individuals were contaminated
with cocaine HCl. Hair locks were then treated with a synthetic sweat solution
and hygienic treatments to model real-life conditions. Hair locks were shampooed
daily (Monday through Friday) for 10 weeks, and samples of the hair locks were
analyzed for COC, benzoylecgonine (BE), cocaethylene (CE), and norcocaine (NCOC).
Three commercial analytical laboratories analyzed samples under three protocols:
no decontamination procedure, individual laboratory decontamination, or decontamination
by an extended buffer procedure at RTI International. Results indicated substantial
and persistent association of all four compounds with all hair types. Hair that
was not decontaminated had significantly greater quantities of COC and BE than
did hair that was decontaminated. The only hair samples below detection limits
for all four compounds were those decontaminated 1 h after contamination. Additionally,
BE/COC ratios increased significantly over the 10-week study (regardless of
decontamination treatment). From 21 days postcontamination until the end of
the study, the mean BE/COC ratio for all hair types exceeded 0.05, the proposed
Federal Mandatory Guidelines requirement. The largest variability in results
was observed for samples decontaminated by participant laboratories. This suggests
that current laboratory decontamination strategies will increase variability
of performance testing sample results. None of the decontamination strategies
used in the study were effective at removing all contamination, and some of
the contaminated hair in this study would have been reported as positive for
cocaine use based on the proposed Federal Mandatory Guidelines.
 Reproduction
of editorial content of this journal is prohibited without publisher’s
permission.
This
article is available in its entirety by fax for $40.00 each.
Visa, MasterCard and AMEX accepted.
To
order electronically click here
or call: 847-647-2900 ext. 1323
or fax request to: 847-647-1155.
To order multiple copies click here.
Please indicate JAT
volume and issue along with page numbers. |
|
Home | Subscribe
| Current Issue | Back Issues
| Search | Advertise | Other Publications
| |
