The study, published this week in the journal Analytical Chemistry , has been carried out by installing a quartz microfiber filter that collected particles suspended in the air.

Thanks to a new method to detect drugs in the air developed by a team of researchers from the National Research Council ( CSIC ), Center for Energy, Environment and Technology ( CIEMAT ) and the Catalan Institute for Water Research ( ICRA ) we know that the air of Madrid and Barcelona swarm cocaine molecules. According to its developers, the system can be a tool for understanding the evolution of drug use in the population quickly and anonymously, using samples collected by the air quality networks.

The results may not be representative as they recognize and alert because the samples were analyzed only very specific areas where it was expected to consume more. Within this context, the team has analyzed up to 17 compounds belonging to five classes of drugs (cocaine, amphetamines, opiates , cannabinoids and lysergic acid ) in air samples collected at two stations on air quality in Barcelona and Madrid and in all levels of cocaine were found (the highest at concentrations of 29 to 850 picograms per cubic meter of air) and a cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol ( marijuana ). Another interesting fact is that heroin has also been found at levels up to 143 picograms per cubic meter in samples from Madrid, but not in Barcelona. I must say that it is logical that the samples collected during several days, show higher concentrations of the compounds during the weekend, suggesting an increase in consumption during that period of time.

We can read more in the press.

Note: A picogram is a trillionth of a gram. The measured levels do not pose any danger to human health. Source CSIC.