Pesticides and tattoo ink release hydrocyanic acid

A study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports documented the release of toxins from a tattoo pigment. Irradiation from laser removal or heat forces the substance to degrade. However, the dye that releases hydrocyanic acid is also an inert ingredient in certain pesticide formulations.

Ovens do not reach the temperature required to degrade the dye. However, pesticide safety regulations need to take other precautions for cannabis. For example, burning a joint with dry weed causes new chemical reactions.

Irradiation versus combustion of phthalocyanine

Color occurs when a molecule contains enough conjugated double bonds. And it takes varying amounts of energy to break molecular bonds and ultimately the colors that break them. Lasers can therefore bleach or alter a chemical with the right intensity and wavelength.

A pigment used in tattoos, food, and agricultural ingredients is known as copper(II) phthalocyanine. (1) However, when a sufficiently powerful laser ruptures the molecular bonds of phthalocyanine, the process releases toxins such as benzene and hydrocyanic acid. (2)

Pesticide formulation releases cyanide

Health Canada approves certain formulation ingredients for use in pesticides as unlisted inert ingredients. (4, 5) These include the carriers, emulsifiers, solvents and other excipients. Blue and green analogues of copper(II) phthalocyanine are inert ingredients approved by the Environmental Production Agency (EPA) in the United States and later by Health Canada.

Purespray, approved for use on cannabis, contains 99% mineral oil and 1% inert ingredients. However, the inert ingredients are not disclosed in Canada. But the pesticide is parented and protected by patents owned by Suncor Energy. And patents owned by Suncor covering their Purespray line use phthalocyanine. (2)

Pyrolysis of an added color

Research has shown that toxins released from the dye can be harmful when removing a tattoo. For this reason, the researchers also tested the chemical stability of copper(II) phthalocyanine at high temperatures.

Laboratories can quantify combustion products using a special non-oxygen reaction known as pyrolysis. In combination with gas mass spectrometers, the reaction quantifies toxins produced after a material is burned. And above 700° Celsius, hydrogen cyanide is released from phthalocyanine-based dyes. (2)

Luckily, however, the embers on properly packed joints should burn below 1,000°F. (3) However, cannabis will burn hot if it is too dry, poorly ground, or high in residual magnesium and nitrogen from cultivation. Without pesticides, plant matter and its terpenes release oxide gases, benzenes and even hydrocyanic acid at exceptional temperatures.

Limitation of cyanide emissions

2.5 milligrams of copper(II) phthalocyanine per millimeter are converted into 27 micrograms of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) at temperatures above 800° Celsius. (1) And five micrograms of hydrocyanic acid per milliliter of blood is toxic — a problem with removing tattoos that contain the dye. (2)

Five liters of colored agricultural solution, diluted according to label directions, would produce five micrograms of hydrocyanic acid when exposed to acute temperatures. Health Canada readily announced that Purespray FX, which is approved for cannabis cultivation in Canada, does Not contain phthalocyanine. (6) However, Health Canada requires a data review when a product contains more than 1% colorant.

Gamma rays and ruby ​​lasers emit ionizing radiation of different wavelengths and intensities.

Irradiation and myclobutanil classes

A pest control agent known as myclobutanil releases significant amounts of cyanide gas. Taking background noise into account, Health Canada restricted myclobutanil to 20 parts per billion or 0.000002%, of dried cannabis. For example, when the plant burns in a joint, all of the agricultural ingredients burn up in the stream of inhaled smoke. (2)

Microbial restrictions often force cannabis producers to sterilize plants with irradiation. However, gamma rays and E-rays, which are used to sterilize cannabis and food, are far weaker than lasers, which are used to remove tattoos. In addition, consumers cannot inhale toxic gases during standard irradiation procedures. (1, 2, 7) However, irradiation leaves cannabis bone dry, which can cause it to burn hot and release harmful oxides.

Does the high temperature required to break down copper(II) phthalocyanine allow it to be used safely during cannabis production? Let us know what you think in the comments.

limitations

• The reported values ​​of hydrocyanic acid emitted from dilute pesticide solutions are approximate mathematical calculations not derived from quantitative data.

Sources

1. Suncor Energy. Pigmented turf grass fungicide formulation. US9485988B2
2. Schreiver, I., Hutzler, C., Laux, P. et al. Formation of highly toxic hydrogen cyanide when ruby ​​laser irradiation of the tattoo pigment phthalocyanine blue. Scientific Rep 5, 12915 (2015).
3. Justice, A. Roggen, M. 2019. What is the Science Behind White Ash and Black Ash? CBT.
4. Health Canada. 2006. Regulatory Guideline: Formants Policy and Implementation Guidance Document. Accessed 07/23/2022.
5. PMRA list of formulating agents. 2020. CAS 0000147-14-8. governor ca. 4b. CAS 1328-53-6. Accessed 3/13/2021, 7/23/2022.
6. Communication with Health Canada Department of Media.
7. Communication with Markus Roggen, Ph.D. 05. 2021. 07. 2022.