Added as an attachment to the Annual Report of 2002-2003 was the following analysis [Analysis in PDF]:

"Analysis of Paraquat in Confiscated Marijuana Samples Report #32 Nov. 9, 2002 through Nov. 8, 2003 During this report period a total of 400 samples were analyzed constituting 400 seizures and 80 controls. Of these 400 samples, 137 were from Southwest Regional Laboratory, of which 2 were positive (1.46%). The remaining 263 samples were from South Central Regional Laboratory with 11 positives (4.18%) Overall, the qualitative analysis showed the rate to be 13 positive samples among the 400 seizures or 3.25% positive. All controls were correctly identified and there were no false positives from the analysis of the negative controls. Attached [PDF version of attachment] is a detailed list of the positive samples analyzed in this report [inset below]." PM Number* Seizure Date Seizure Place Amount Seized (Kg) 1. 49933 July 10, 2002 Laredo, TX 162,660.000 2. 50334 Aug. 6, 2002 Ranchita, CA 845.400 3. 50427 Sep. 26, 2002 Laredo, TX 94,170.000 4. 50428 Oct. 1, 2002 Laredo, TX 8,700.000 5. 50432 Sep. 26, 2002 Falfurrias, TX 44,400.000 6. 50670 Sep. 19, 2002 El Paso, TX 528,448.200 7. 50979 Jan. 10, 2003 Del Rio, TX 253,670.000 8. 51151 Jan. 21, 2003 Zapata, TX 866,180.000 9. 51153 Jan. 24, 2003 Laredo, TX 192,090.000 10. 51163 Oct. 22, 2002 Eagle Pass, TX 65,499.000 11. 51407 Mar. 1, 2003 Honolulu, HI 672.800 12. 51450 Feb. 22, 2003 Laredo, TX 280,550.000 13. 51456 Mar. 8, 2003 Laredo, TX 1,848,420.000 * The annual reports noted that "All confiscated samples received by the Project for analysis are labeled Potency Monitoring (PM) samples.... This includes domestic samples as well as samples supplied by the [Drug Enforcement Administration] DEA Regional Laboratories. These samples were analyzed in duplicate for verification..." [Note: A similar breakdown was not provided for the other annual reports we received.]

General Health Information on Paraquat

A May. 8, 2003 Fact Sheet from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, states:

Medline Plus, a service of the US National Institute of Health, states on its website in a Jan. 12, 2003 entry:

"Paraquat lung is a lung disease caused by the weed killer Paraquat (dipyridylium)."

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Paraquat is a weed killer once promoted by the United States for use in Mexico to destroy marijuana plants. Research found that this herbicide was dangerous both to workers who applied it to the plants and to people who smoked the marijuana harvested from them.

Paraquat is now banned in the United States, although it is still legal for some uses in Mexico. As most marijuana smoked in the US is now domestically grown, the risk of paraquat lung to American marijuana smokers is minimal.

Paraquat may cause lung damage by inhalation, it may cause esophageal erosions or ulcers from ingestion and absorption through the gut, or it can cause skin breakdown through contact with intact skin.

Severe ingestion of Paraquat can rapidly cause death from respiratory failure due to a form of proliferative alveolitis, or inflammation of the air spaces in the lungs. This impairs oxygen transport to the blood and may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Administering oxygen to improve the blood oxygen level may actually increase the damage to the lung in such cases of ARDS. Chronic exposure to Paraquat, may cause pulmonary fibrosis, or a stiffening of the lung tissue.

Paraquat may also damage the kidneys, liver, mouth, and esophagus. Death may occur from perforation of the esophagus, or from acute inflammation of the mediastinum, the area that encases major blood vessels and airways in the middle of the chest.

Symptoms

• shortness of breath
• difficulty breathing
• breathing requires increasing effort
• sore throat
• vomiting or GI distress

• history of exposure to Paraquat
• history of marijuana smoking in the 1970's

• arterial blood gasses (abnormal results)
• X-ray of the chest
• electrolytes (see chem-20)
• BUN
• creatinine
• pulmonary function tests
• urine toxicology screen

There is no specific treatment for Paraquat poisoning. The goal is to relieve symptoms and address any complications that arise.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome depends on the severity of exposure. The affected person may develop mild breathing-related symptoms with full recovery, or they may have permanent changes in the lungs, or if the person received a large dose at once (as with ingestion), death may occur.

Complications

• ARDS
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Esophageal perforation
• Mediastinitis

Calling your health care provider

If you believe you have been exposed to Paraquat, you should seek medical care immediately."