University of Washington Researchers Investigate Health Risks for Cannabis Industry Workers
A groundbreaking study by the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences is examining the potential health hazards faced by workers in the cannabis production industry. The study, led by principal investigators Christopher Simpson and Coralynn Sack, aims to identify the respiratory hazards and occupational lung diseases that may be affecting thousands of new workers entering the industry each year.
The study was prompted by two known fatalities in the cannabis industry, one in Massachusetts and another in California, which were linked to work-related asthma. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is funding the research.
Callan Krevanko, a PhD student at UW and lead researcher on the fieldwork, notes that the cannabis industry is understudied due to its historical classification as a Schedule I drug. “To our knowledge, we’re the first study looking into these things. It’s a pretty groundbreaking study,” Krevanko said.
The research team plans to visit around 10 cannabis facilities across Washington state, including grow operations and processing facilities of varying sizes, to test over 100 workers. The team has already begun collecting data at Subdued Excitement, a producer and processor based in Ferndale, where they monitored airborne contaminants, measured personal breathing zone samples, and performed health tests.
Nick Cihlar, co-founder of Subdued Excitement, welcomed the study, acknowledging that the industry may be facing health risks due to inadequate air filtration and worker exposure. “I think it’s common sense that cannabis production, especially trimming, can have an impact on workers’ lungs,” Cihlar said.
The study aims to provide recommendations for best practices, such as local exhaust ventilation and personal protective equipment, to reduce the risk of occupational lung diseases. The researchers hope to offer affordable interventions and suggestions to industry partners, rather than imposing new punitive measures.
The study is expected to wrap up this winter, with the researchers planning to share their findings and recommendations with the industry.
