Hemp readily absorbs toxic elements—urgent need for safety testing standards

Hemp plants are natural "bioaccumulators" that readily absorb potentially toxic elements (PTEs) like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead from the soil they grow in. This research tested a laboratory method called Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP OES) to measure these harmful contaminants in hemp products. The study is particularly important because non-intoxicating hemp products sold in New Jersey—and potentially elsewhere—currently lack mandatory testing for these toxins, creating a significant consumer safety gap. Exposure to these elements is linked to serious health consequences including cancer, kidney damage, and neurological harm.

The research team validated the ICP OES method by processing hemp samples and measuring their toxic element content. The results were mixed: the method successfully detected and measured cadmium and lead with acceptable accuracy (92.7% and 96.2% recovery rates), meeting industry standards. However, the method fell short for mercury and arsenic, failing to detect these elements at the trace levels required for consumer protection. Mercury recovery was particularly poor at only 47%, while arsenic concentrations were too low for reliable detection.

The practical takeaway is clear: while ICP OES offers a cost-effective screening tool for cadmium and lead in hemp products, it's insufficient for comprehensive safety testing. The researchers recommend switching to a more sensitive technique called ICP MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) for detecting arsenic and mercury. This finding highlights an urgent need for mandatory PTE testing standards in hemp products to protect consumers from accumulated toxic elements that pose real health risks through regular use.