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The cannabis industry is expanding rapidly around the world, with new jurisdictions permitting its recreational or medical use every year. As legalization of cannabis advances in some areas, cannabis cultivation and use activities may have an odor impact on the surrounding environment, which may be of concern to neighbors and relevant authorities. Conducting a marijuana odor test can therefore help assess the level of odor in the environment and ensure that it is within acceptable limits.
Alfa Chemistry offers professional cannabis odor testing, an important element of environmental testing designed to assess the presence and concentration of cannabis odors in indoor or outdoor environments.
Safe limits for terpenes
Marijuana odor is largely attributed to a class of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) called terpenes. The cannabis plant contains high concentrations of terpenes, which are natural organic compounds found in most plants or industrial solvents.
0.01-0.04 ppm
Imperceptible to most people.
0.01-0.04 ppm
The most sensitive people can smell the odor. This terpene concentration is 100 times lower than the occupational exposure limit and is probably safe for the public.
0.04-0.1 ppm
Objectionable odor. The terpene concentration is approximately 50 times lower than the occupational exposure limit and is therefore probably safe.
0.1-1 ppm
The smell is very strong. Terpene concentrations are well above LEED clean air standards. At this concentration, terpenes can be harmful to children and people with chronic illnesses.
Marijuana volatiles detectable by Alfa Chemistry include, but are not limited to:
β-caryophyllene, α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, limonene, eugenol, etc.
Alfa Chemistry's capabilities in marijuana odor detection include, but are not limited to:
Total Terpene Concentration Measurement: We measure the concentration of total terpenes in the air. "Total" means that we do not always know the source of the terpenes and we report the sum of all terpenes present.
Chemical Analysis: We use chemical analysis techniques, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), to determine the chemical constituents of cannabis odors. These techniques can provide quantitative and qualitative results to help identify specific chemicals in marijuana odor. We use the standard NIOSH 1552 method to analyze terpenes. This method applies to airborne terpene concentrations ranging from 0.03 ppm to 1000 ppm.
Bag Sampling: This method uses a specially designed gas sampling bag to collect a sample of ambient air into the bag. The tester places the bag in the area of interest and then uses a pump or other method to draw air into the bag. The gas sample in the bag can be further analyzed in the laboratory.
Sorbent Tube Sampling: This method uses sorbent tubes that contain an adsorbent (e.g., activated carbon) that adsorbs gas molecules from the environment. The tester places the sorbent tube in the area of interest and allows the gas sample to pass through the sorbent. The adsorbent tubes can then be analyzed in the lab to determine the adsorbed cannabis odor components.
If you are interested in our marijuana odor testing solutions or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.