Abstract No:
1664
Abstract Type:
Student Poster
Authors:
C Krevanko1, C Simpson1
Institutions:
1University of Washington Environmental & Occupational Health, Seattle, WA
Presenter:
Callan Krevanko
University of Washington Environmental & Occupational Health
Faculty Advisor:
Christopher Simpson
University of Washington Environmental & Occupational Health
Description:
Workers are potentially exposed to respiratory irritants and allergic sensitizers during cannabis processing tasks. Recent evidence suggests an elevated burden of respiratory and allergic health symptoms in cannabis production workers, underscoring the need to characterize and control occupational exposures. We measured inhalable particulate matter (PM), endotoxin, ß-glucan, and volatile organic compound (VOC) terpenes during processing activities at seven cannabis production facilities in Washington state. Exposure levels varied by work task, with higher VOC and PM concentrations typically observed during trimming and bucking. Our findings may inform exposure control strategies to protect cannabis workers from work-related respiratory hazards.
Situation/Problem:
During cannabis production tasks, workers are potentially exposed to respiratory irritants and allergic sensitizers, including organic dust, mold, endotoxin, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Recent evidence suggests a growing burden of work-related respiratory symptoms among cannabis workers, including two asthma fatalities that were directly attributed to occupational exposures. Swift action is needed to protect this expanding population of workers, including the comprehensive characterization of workplace exposures and the implementation of exposure controls. This study aims to quantify exposure to inhalable particulate matter (PM), ß-glucan, endotoxin, and VOC terpenes during cannabis processing activities.
Methods:
We measured exposure to gravimetric inhalable PM, ß-glucan, endotoxin, and VOC terpenes in personal (n=98) and area (n=74) samples at seven cannabis production facilities in Washington state. Sampling spanned 19 days between November 2024 and December 2025 and captured a wide variety of facility characteristics, including size, production volume, cultivation practices (e.g. indoor vs. outdoor; conventional vs. organic), and urbanicity. Personal and area samples captured a broad spectrum of production tasks, including plant cultivation, harvest, sorting/grading of dried plants, trimming, joint production, distillate production, and packaging.
Gravimetric inhalable PM was measured using the IOM inhalable dust sampler and filters were subsequently analyzed for endotoxin and ß-glucan. Terpenes were measured using thermal desorption tubes and analyzed with GC/MS. Worker activities were captured using post-shift questionnaires.
Results / Conclusions:
We found heterogeneity in measured exposures across facilities, likely stemming from differences in facility size, production volume, and cultivation practices. Inhalable PM ranged from 16-77,000 µg/m3 in personal samples and <LOD-22,000 µg/m3 in area samples. In personal samples, PM was generally higher during bucking, trimming, and sifting tasks. Total terpenes ranged from 140-3,300 µg/m3 in personal samples and 180-3,900 µg/m3 in area samples. Personal terpene exposures were typically elevated during trimming, sorting/grading, and bucking tasks. Endotoxin and ß-glucan results are currently pending. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most comprehensive assessment of cannabis production exposures. Ultimately, our findings can be used to drive targeted interventions that protect this growing workforce.
Core Competencies:
Work Environments, Occupations, and Industrial Processes
Secondary Core Competencies:
Exposure Assessment
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring
Exposure Assessment
Indoor air quality
Mold
Occupational epidemiology
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Professional: Professional is a job title given to persons who have obtained a baccalaureate or graduate degree in IH/OH, public health, safety, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering or who have a degree in another area that meets the standards set forth in the next section, Knowledge and Skill Sets of IH/OH Practice Levels, and has had 4 or more years of practice. One significant way of demonstrating professional competence is to achieve certification by a 3rd party whose certification scheme is recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) such as the Board of Global EHS Credentialing (BGC).
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
Yes
If yes, i.e., If worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis are to be presented please describe the statistical methods and tools (e.g. IHSTAT, Expostats, IHSTAT_Bayes, IHDA-AIHA, or other statistical tool, please specify) used for analysis of the data.
RStudio/R
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
Through characterizing task-based exposure levels, our findings can inform exposure control strategies that protect cannabis production workers from potentially harmful respiratory exposures.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes