Temporal Analysis of the Cocaine Metabolite Benzoylecgonine in Wastewater to Estimate Community Drug Use
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Indirect estimation methods of cocaine consumption may not reflect the real extent of cocaine use. Another approach is sewage epidemiology. This direct approach is based on analysis of a stable cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BE), in wastewater. Influent to the Lubbock (Texas) Water Reclamation Plant was sampled twice a week to assess weekly variations in estimates of cocaine consumption over a 5-month period. BE was extracted from influent wastewater samples using solid phase extraction and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Measured concentrations of BE were converted to cocaine equivalents; the estimated average daily consumption of cocaine during the study period was 1152±147g. Based on BE concentrations and sewage epidemiology, higher cocaine consumption was observed on weekends compared to weekdays (p<0.0003). This method was effective in monitoring BE in wastewater and could be used to complement survey data in estimating cocaine use at a local level.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Forensic Sciences |
Volume | 57 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 1349-1353 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISSN | 0022-1198 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
- Benzoylecgonine, Cocaine, Drug use, Forensic science, Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, Sewage epidemiology, Wastewater
Research areas
ID: 275538562