RESIDUAL DRUG PARTICLES, LEFT ON DAILY USE SURFACES AFTER A DRUG TEST CAN BE A MAJOR HEALTH HAZARDS TO THE ANALYSTS WHO SEIZE DRUGS

A research was conducted by scientists to test a theory wherein it was said that after a test is conducted by an analyst with a specific drug, some drug particles may be left behind (unseen to the naked eyes) on common surfaces such as the daily use table from where these particles can further end up being on the gloves of the analyst, or the water bottle; he/she may use while being in the office and the list goes on. The complexity arises with a high-class drug that contains chemicals that can be highly hazardous to the health of an individual. Furthermore, the effects of such chemicals might go unrecognized for a long time until the damage is done to a point of no returns. Chemicals such as fentanyl which in small traces is present in cocaine and heroin (the chemical is mixed by drug dealers), considering the fact this specific chemical can rein hazardous effects on anyone who has ingested it which is highly possible if the particles are in contact with the hand (and objects such as a water bottle).

The research constituted similar circumstances wherein white flour mixed with some fluorescent particles was packed into a brick (a form of a package which represents a brick), this brick was then opened using a scalpel and after examining it in similar condition as to when any drug is analyzed, the desk was cleaned thoroughly then post that a UV light was brought in which was of the objective to spot out the fluorescent particles and it was seen that even after cleaning the desk some particles were left behind which ended up on regular use items and some particles were glowing on the desk and hand as well. The research established the fact that even after a thorough clean-up some drug particles might still be on surfaces and thus an analyst can be exposed to such harmful drugs which can deteriorate their health.

The findings from the research helped establish a few rules to avoid the particles just laying around out in the open, a few pointers were issued for the analysts to follow up as to avoid such instances. The pointers are as such:

1. Changing gloves frequently
2. Using test tubes and vials with  large mouths
3. Having two sets of wash bottles

All of the above-mentioned points were suggested by the scientists to possibly avoid the spillage of the drug and thus the residual particles to be left on surfaces. Keeping in mind that these pointers are not absolute to ensure a person that the spillage might never occur. An analyst should vary of the surroundings and carry out all the tests with ultimate precision.

SOURCE:- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200423082233.htm