Field-Portable Device for Detection of Controlled and Psychoactive Substances from e-Cigarettes

Gardner, Matthew, Bowden, Celeste, Manzoor, Shoaib, Cozier, Gyles E., Andrews, Rachael C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7836-036X, Craft, Sam, Skumlien, Martine, Sunderland, Peter, Tooth, Tom, Collins, Peter, Power, Alexander ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5348-7068, Haines, Tom S. F., Freeman, Tom P., Scott, Jennifer, Sutcliffe, Oliver B ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3781-7754, Bowman, Richard W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1531-8199, Husbands, Stephen M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9928-6322 and Pudney, Christopher R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6211-0086 (2025) Field-Portable Device for Detection of Controlled and Psychoactive Substances from e-Cigarettes. ACS Omega. ISSN 2470-1343

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Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that are highly potent and associated with a range of severe toxicities. SC use, which is common in UK prisons and homeless communities, typically involves combustion of SC-soaked herb or paper material. Recently, e-cigarettes (or vapes) have emerged as popular delivery vehicles for SCs, and consumption among the general population has risen significantly. SC-containing e-cigarettes (or e-liquids) are typically sold as imitation cannabis-containing products and carry increased risk of adverse outcomes including psychosis, seizure, and cardiac arrest. Numerous incidences of overdose have been reported in UK schools. SCs cannot be identified in complex e-liquid matrices using current field-portable detection technologies, preventing the rapid screening of suspicious products. Herein, we report on the design and development of a device that can rapidly detect SCs and other relevant drugs in sealed e-cigarettes and e-liquids. We describe and implement a method to artificially actuate an e-cigarette, simultaneously depositing e-liquid vapor onto a physical matrix. We couple this extraction method with fluorescence-based detection to create a rapid and generic test for SC-containing e-cigarettes. In addition, we expand the potential of the detection modality by leveraging the photochemical degradation of THC and nitazenes on a solid matrix as a means for their detection from e-liquids and sealed e-cigarettes. We show that SCs, delta-9-THC and nitazenes can be detected in e-liquid from concentrations 0.2, 5, and 1.5 mg/mL, respectively.