004-Mass Spec-V17
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The Diverse Applications of <strong>Mass</strong> <strong>Spec</strong>trometry<br />
using ICP to test cannabis for heavy metals, often requires a way<br />
to enhance its sensitivity, such as introducing the sample with an<br />
ultrasonic nebulizer (USN). “The USN can increase sensitivity<br />
up to a factor of 10,” Clifford says.<br />
From Aeos Labs, analytical chemist Anya Engen says, “ICP-MS<br />
offers the best sensitivity and is the method used in our lab.”<br />
She adds, “The FDA and United States Pharmacopeia have<br />
standardized methods for heavy-metals analysis, which are very<br />
useful resources in the fledgling cannabis-testing industry, where<br />
regulation is slow to catch up.”<br />
To test for arsenic, scientists often need special sample<br />
preparation, such as liquid chromatography (LC), because<br />
arsenic can be in inorganic or organic forms. The inorganic<br />
form is more toxic. “If one wants to test for the different forms,<br />
LC-ICP-MS is utilized to separate and detect the different<br />
compounds,” Clifford says. “States currently only require total<br />
arsenic, so speciation of this compound is not required.”<br />
not test for other consumed products like cannabis, especially<br />
when involving immune-compromised patients?” Clifford asks.<br />
“There needs to be federal oversight of testing for heavy metals,<br />
as well as pesticides, residual solvents, mycotoxins and other<br />
contaminates so testing is harmonized throughout the United<br />
States.”<br />
When asked if any testing improvements would be useful, Engen<br />
says, “Measuring heavy-metal levels in the soil and water where<br />
cannabis is grown and correlating the data to cannabis-generated<br />
data would be helpful in illustrating an overview of possible<br />
contamination sources.” She adds, “Being in Hawaii with an<br />
active volcano, the heavy metals produced and dispersed by the<br />
volcano is a possible source of contamination in Hawaii-grown<br />
cannabis.”<br />
Without testing cannabis for heavy metals, sparks could fly from<br />
more than guitars as customers insist increasingly on safe, tested<br />
products.<br />
Tomorrow’s Testing<br />
Not all regulators even require heavy-metals testing for cannabis<br />
at the moment. “We test for heavy metals in the USA’s food<br />
supply system, enforced by FDA and USDA, so why would we<br />
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