Air quality impacted by emissions from cannabis growing facilities

Cannabis grows emit butane and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs)

In this pilot study, scientists studied four cannabis grow facilities in Nevada and California to learn what chemicals were emitted during cultivation and processing of cannabis plants. In all four locations the scientists found high levels of strongly-scented airborne chemicals called biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). These are naturally produced by the cannabis plants during growth and reproduction. Where cannabis oil extraction took place, researchers also found very high levels of butane, a volatile organic compound (VOC) that is used during the oil extraction process. "The concentrations of BVOCs and butane that we measured inside of these facilities were high enough to be concerning,”

Article: Emissions from cannabis growing facilities may impact indoor and regional air quality

Authored by the Desert Research Institute

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