A Synthetic Cannabinoid 80x More Potent Than THC Was Found in Products Sold as Air Freshener in Italy
Analysis of a product called "Che Sballo platinum," sold as air freshener in Trieste, Italy, revealed it contained 8.5 mg of the potent synthetic cannabinoid 5F-Cumyl-PINACA, after multiple ER visits for hallucinations, tachycardia, and air hunger.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The product tested negative for THC but positive for 5F-Cumyl-PINACA at a dose of 8.5 mg per package. Multiple people presented to the Trieste hospital ER with hallucinations, sensation of poisoning, tachycardia, and air hunger after inhaling the product. The product was manufactured in Koper, Slovenia, and sold as an air freshener. Formal notification was sent to Italian Health Authorities.
Key Numbers
8.5 mg 5F-Cumyl-PINACA per package. Multiple ER presentations with hallucinations, tachycardia, air hunger. Product sold as air freshener. Manufactured in Koper, Slovenia.
How They Did This
Forensic analysis of product contents using multi-target MRM-IDA-EPI screening confirmed by LC-ESI-MS/MS quantitation.
Why This Research Matters
5F-Cumyl-PINACA is far more potent than THC, and without concentration information on the packaging, users cannot dose safely. This highlights the ongoing public health danger of synthetic cannabinoids being sold under misleading product labels.
The Bigger Picture
Synthetic cannabinoids continue to enter markets through legal gray zones, sold as products not intended for human consumption. The lack of labeling about active ingredients or concentration makes accidental overdose common and highlights the failure of product-based regulation.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Analysis of a single product from one region. Cannot determine the extent of distribution. No long-term follow-up of affected individuals. ER presentations not systematically characterized.
Questions This Raises
- ?How widespread is the distribution of synthetic cannabinoid products sold as everyday consumer goods?
- ?Would product testing at borders prevent these products from entering the market?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Potent synthetic cannabinoid found in product sold as air freshener in Italy
- Evidence Grade:
- Forensic identification with confirmed quantitation, but limited to a single product analysis.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023.
- Original Title:
- Identification of 5F-Cumyl-PINACA, a Synthetic Cannabinoid, in the Herbal Material Used for Recreational Purposes in the Province of Trieste: Public Health Implications.
- Published In:
- Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 24(6), 758-765 (2023)
- Authors:
- Peruch, Michela, Addobbati, Riccardo, Padovano, Martina(3), Scopetti, Matteo, Concato, Monica, Radaelli, Davide, D'Errico, Stefano
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04847
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can synthetic cannabinoids be found in everyday products?
Yes. This report found 5F-Cumyl-PINACA, a potent synthetic cannabinoid, in a product sold as an air freshener in Italy, causing multiple ER visits.
How dangerous are synthetic cannabinoids?
5F-Cumyl-PINACA is far more potent than THC. Without any concentration labeling, users had no way to dose safely, resulting in hallucinations, tachycardia, and breathing difficulties.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04847APA
Peruch, Michela; Addobbati, Riccardo; Padovano, Martina; Scopetti, Matteo; Concato, Monica; Radaelli, Davide; D'Errico, Stefano. (2023). Identification of 5F-Cumyl-PINACA, a Synthetic Cannabinoid, in the Herbal Material Used for Recreational Purposes in the Province of Trieste: Public Health Implications.. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 24(6), 758-765. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201023666220915092609
MLA
Peruch, Michela, et al. "Identification of 5F-Cumyl-PINACA, a Synthetic Cannabinoid, in the Herbal Material Used for Recreational Purposes in the Province of Trieste: Public Health Implications.." Current pharmaceutical biotechnology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201023666220915092609
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Identification of 5F-Cumyl-PINACA, a Synthetic Cannabinoid, ..." RTHC-04847. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/peruch-2023-identification-of-5fcumylpinaca-a
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.