Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils

Amaya Foran; Lily Slater; Bert Woods; Robert Thomas; Tom Gluodenis

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12

| Peer-Reviewed

Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils

Amaya Foran, Lily Slater, Bert Woods, Robert Thomas, Tom Gluodenis

Published in American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 3)

Received: 6 May 2023 Accepted: 23 May 2023 Published: 6 June 2023

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

There is legitimate concern over the rise in chronic health issues related to metals contamination in hemp derived cannabidiol (CBD) infused products. Hemp is a hyperaccumulator plant increasingly used for environmental reclamation given its unique ability to tolerate heavy metal stress. Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids are extracted from hemp and infused into consumer products, hence the potential exists for the transfer of heavy metals. Current U.S. state-based testing regulations primarily target cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the currently mandated testing requirements and assess the potential need for testing other metals of toxicological interest. Fifty-two commercially available full spectrum, CBD tincture oils were analyzed for Cd, Hg, As, and Pb as well as the additional 20 metals recommended by the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Guideline for Elemental Impurities Q3D (R1) in medicinal products. Samples were prepared using microwave assisted acid digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The fifty-two samples tested were in compliance with current regulations for Cd, As, and Hg. Lead results were more variable with four of the fifty-two samples analyzed (8%) exceeding 0.5 ppm which is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for oral consumption in many states. Given that independent laboratory tests conducted by the manufacturer or their agents certified the products to be in compliance at the time of shipping, a question exists as to whether the Pb contamination originated from the hemp biomass or the product packaging. The results for the other 20 metals were all well within the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) levels recommended by the ICH indicating no evidence based upon this limited sample population for the need for expanded metals testing requirements.

Published in	American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12
Page(s)	41-46
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cannabidiol, CBD, Metals, Lead, Tin, Hemp

References

[1]	Jan Conway, (2022). CBD Retail in the United States – Statistics and Facts. Statista Market Report, Aug 19, 2022 https://www.statista.com/topics/6262/cbd-retail-in-the-united-states/#topicOverview
[2]	Rafiq Ahmad, Zara Tehsin, Samina Tanvir Malik, Saeed Ahmad Asad, Muhammad Shahzad, Muhammad Bilal, Mohammad Maroof Shah, Sabaz & Ali Khan. (2016). Phytoremediation Potential of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.): Identification and Characterization of Heavy Metals Responsive Genes. Clean Soil Air Water. 44: 195-201 doi: 10.1002/clen.201500117.
[3]	Dante F. Placido & Charles C. Lee. (2022). Potential of Industrial Hemp for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals. Plants (Basel), 11 (5): 595. (2). doi: 10.3390/plants11050595.
[4]	WTVD-TV News I-Team, (June 18 2018). Army Bans CBD Oil after rash of ER visits at Fort Bragg. https://abc11.com/fort-bragg-army-i-team-hemp-products/3617435/.
[5]	Melissa Schiller.(October 5, 2020) Ohio Recalls Medical Cannabis Edibles Due to Heavy Metals, Cannabis Business Times, https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/ohio-recalls-medical-cannabis-edibles-due-to-heavy-metals/
[6]	Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency. (August 30, 2019). MRA Recalls Four Medical Marijuana Products Across the State. Press Release. https://www.michigan.gov/cra/spotlight/mra-recalls-four-medical-marijuana-products-across-the-state.
[7]	HempIndustry Daily. (May 5, 2020). CBD Retailer Falsely Claimed Oils Were Heavy-Metal-Free, Lawsuit Says. https://hempindustrydaily.com/cbd-retailer-falsely-claimed-oils-were-heavy-metal-free-lawsuit-says/.
[8]	Leo Bear-McGuinness. (Jun 9, 2020). Hawaiian Cannabis Vape Cartridges Are Contaminated with Ethanol and Lead, Tests Find, Analytical Cannabis. https://www.analyticalcannabis.com/news/hawaiian-cannabis-vape-cartridges-are-contaminated-with-ethanol-and-lead-tests-find-312447.
[9]	Hemp Industry Daily, (May 18, 2020). Florida CBD company issues voluntary product recall for heavy lead content”, https://hempindustrydaily.com/florida-cbd-company-issues-voluntary-product-recall-for-heavy-lead-content/.
[10]	International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Q3D on elemental impurities – Step 5 – Revision 2, First published 03/05/2022, Legal effective date 24/09/2022, EMA/CHMP/ICH/353369/2013 https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/international-conference-harmonisation-technical-requirements-registration-pharmaceuticals-human-use_en-16.pdf.
[11]	SMPR 2020.001, Standard Method Performance Requirements for Determination of Heavy Metals in a Variety of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, https://www.aoac.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/SMPR-2020_001.pdf].
[12]	Jenny Nelson, Craig Jones, Sam Heckle, & Leanne Anderson. (2021). Determination of Heavy Metals in a Variety of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, First Action 2021.03. Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 105, (6) 1640–1651, doi: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsab173.
[13]	Diane Pickett & Serena Giovinazzi. (2021) Heavy Metals in Hemp Extract Products In the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Food Safety Lab. ASTM Workshop on Measurement of Elemental Contaminants in Cannabis and Hemp, June 28-30, 2021, sponsored by ASTM Committees D37 on Cannabis.
[14]	Elena A. Ostrakhovitch. (2022). Chapter 33 – Tin. Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals (Fifth Edition). Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128229460000295.doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-822946-0.00029-5.
[15]	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, (2005) Toxicological Profile for Tin. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp55.pdf.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Amaya Foran, Lily Slater, Bert Woods, Robert Thomas, Tom Gluodenis. (2023). Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils. American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences, 11(3), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Amaya Foran; Lily Slater; Bert Woods; Robert Thomas; Tom Gluodenis. Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils. Am. J. Biomed. Life Sci. 2023, 11(3), 41-46. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Amaya Foran, Lily Slater, Bert Woods, Robert Thomas, Tom Gluodenis. Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils. Am J Biomed Life Sci. 2023;11(3):41-46. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12,
  author = {Amaya Foran and Lily Slater and Bert Woods and Robert Thomas and Tom Gluodenis},
  title = {Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils},
  journal = {American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {41-46},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbls.20231103.12},
  abstract = {There is legitimate concern over the rise in chronic health issues related to metals contamination in hemp derived cannabidiol (CBD) infused products. Hemp is a hyperaccumulator plant increasingly used for environmental reclamation given its unique ability to tolerate heavy metal stress. Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids are extracted from hemp and infused into consumer products, hence the potential exists for the transfer of heavy metals. Current U.S. state-based testing regulations primarily target cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the currently mandated testing requirements and assess the potential need for testing other metals of toxicological interest. Fifty-two commercially available full spectrum, CBD tincture oils were analyzed for Cd, Hg, As, and Pb as well as the additional 20 metals recommended by the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Guideline for Elemental Impurities Q3D (R1) in medicinal products. Samples were prepared using microwave assisted acid digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The fifty-two samples tested were in compliance with current regulations for Cd, As, and Hg. Lead results were more variable with four of the fifty-two samples analyzed (8%) exceeding 0.5 ppm which is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for oral consumption in many states. Given that independent laboratory tests conducted by the manufacturer or their agents certified the products to be in compliance at the time of shipping, a question exists as to whether the Pb contamination originated from the hemp biomass or the product packaging. The results for the other 20 metals were all well within the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) levels recommended by the ICH indicating no evidence based upon this limited sample population for the need for expanded metals testing requirements.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils
AU  - Amaya Foran
AU  - Lily Slater
AU  - Bert Woods
AU  - Robert Thomas
AU  - Tom Gluodenis
Y1  - 2023/06/06
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12
T2  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
JF  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
JO  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
SP  - 41
EP  - 46
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-880X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12
AB  - There is legitimate concern over the rise in chronic health issues related to metals contamination in hemp derived cannabidiol (CBD) infused products. Hemp is a hyperaccumulator plant increasingly used for environmental reclamation given its unique ability to tolerate heavy metal stress. Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids are extracted from hemp and infused into consumer products, hence the potential exists for the transfer of heavy metals. Current U.S. state-based testing regulations primarily target cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the currently mandated testing requirements and assess the potential need for testing other metals of toxicological interest. Fifty-two commercially available full spectrum, CBD tincture oils were analyzed for Cd, Hg, As, and Pb as well as the additional 20 metals recommended by the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Guideline for Elemental Impurities Q3D (R1) in medicinal products. Samples were prepared using microwave assisted acid digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The fifty-two samples tested were in compliance with current regulations for Cd, As, and Hg. Lead results were more variable with four of the fifty-two samples analyzed (8%) exceeding 0.5 ppm which is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for oral consumption in many states. Given that independent laboratory tests conducted by the manufacturer or their agents certified the products to be in compliance at the time of shipping, a question exists as to whether the Pb contamination originated from the hemp biomass or the product packaging. The results for the other 20 metals were all well within the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) levels recommended by the ICH indicating no evidence based upon this limited sample population for the need for expanded metals testing requirements.
VL  - 11
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Amaya Foran

Department of Chemistry and Physics, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Oxford, PA, USA
Lily Slater

Department of Chemistry and Physics, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Oxford, PA, USA
Bert Woods

Agilent Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA
Robert Thomas

Scientific Solutions, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Tom Gluodenis

Department of Chemistry and Physics, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Oxford, PA, USA

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Amaya Foran, Lily Slater, Bert Woods, Robert Thomas, Tom Gluodenis. (2023). Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils. American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences, 11(3), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Amaya Foran; Lily Slater; Bert Woods; Robert Thomas; Tom Gluodenis. Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils. Am. J. Biomed. Life Sci. 2023, 11(3), 41-46. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Amaya Foran, Lily Slater, Bert Woods, Robert Thomas, Tom Gluodenis. Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils. Am J Biomed Life Sci. 2023;11(3):41-46. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12,
  author = {Amaya Foran and Lily Slater and Bert Woods and Robert Thomas and Tom Gluodenis},
  title = {Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils},
  journal = {American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {41-46},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbls.20231103.12},
  abstract = {There is legitimate concern over the rise in chronic health issues related to metals contamination in hemp derived cannabidiol (CBD) infused products. Hemp is a hyperaccumulator plant increasingly used for environmental reclamation given its unique ability to tolerate heavy metal stress. Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids are extracted from hemp and infused into consumer products, hence the potential exists for the transfer of heavy metals. Current U.S. state-based testing regulations primarily target cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the currently mandated testing requirements and assess the potential need for testing other metals of toxicological interest. Fifty-two commercially available full spectrum, CBD tincture oils were analyzed for Cd, Hg, As, and Pb as well as the additional 20 metals recommended by the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Guideline for Elemental Impurities Q3D (R1) in medicinal products. Samples were prepared using microwave assisted acid digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The fifty-two samples tested were in compliance with current regulations for Cd, As, and Hg. Lead results were more variable with four of the fifty-two samples analyzed (8%) exceeding 0.5 ppm which is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for oral consumption in many states. Given that independent laboratory tests conducted by the manufacturer or their agents certified the products to be in compliance at the time of shipping, a question exists as to whether the Pb contamination originated from the hemp biomass or the product packaging. The results for the other 20 metals were all well within the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) levels recommended by the ICH indicating no evidence based upon this limited sample population for the need for expanded metals testing requirements.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Profiling Trace Metal Contaminants of Toxicological Interest in Commercially Available Cannabidiol (CBD) Tincture Oils
AU  - Amaya Foran
AU  - Lily Slater
AU  - Bert Woods
AU  - Robert Thomas
AU  - Tom Gluodenis
Y1  - 2023/06/06
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12
T2  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
JF  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
JO  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
SP  - 41
EP  - 46
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-880X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20231103.12
AB  - There is legitimate concern over the rise in chronic health issues related to metals contamination in hemp derived cannabidiol (CBD) infused products. Hemp is a hyperaccumulator plant increasingly used for environmental reclamation given its unique ability to tolerate heavy metal stress. Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids are extracted from hemp and infused into consumer products, hence the potential exists for the transfer of heavy metals. Current U.S. state-based testing regulations primarily target cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the currently mandated testing requirements and assess the potential need for testing other metals of toxicological interest. Fifty-two commercially available full spectrum, CBD tincture oils were analyzed for Cd, Hg, As, and Pb as well as the additional 20 metals recommended by the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Guideline for Elemental Impurities Q3D (R1) in medicinal products. Samples were prepared using microwave assisted acid digestion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The fifty-two samples tested were in compliance with current regulations for Cd, As, and Hg. Lead results were more variable with four of the fifty-two samples analyzed (8%) exceeding 0.5 ppm which is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for oral consumption in many states. Given that independent laboratory tests conducted by the manufacturer or their agents certified the products to be in compliance at the time of shipping, a question exists as to whether the Pb contamination originated from the hemp biomass or the product packaging. The results for the other 20 metals were all well within the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) levels recommended by the ICH indicating no evidence based upon this limited sample population for the need for expanded metals testing requirements.
VL  - 11
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download