What we test
Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill different organisms and fungi. Mycotoxins are toxins created by other fungi and molds.
Why we test
It is important to measure the amount of pesticides and mycotoxins in cannabis products. More than 300 mycotoxins exist, but Nevada only requires testing for Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin. Pesticides and mycotoxins can be harmful to humans even in small amounts. Other pesticides can interact with hormone production and homeostasis of the human body. To protect the public, it is important to make sure that pesticides and mycotoxins are within a legal limit.
How we test
We test pesticides and mycotoxins on our most accurate and sensitive instruments, Gas Chromatography or Liquid Chromatography combined with a Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS/MS or LC-MS/MS). These instruments work by ionizing the chemical compound and then breaking that compound into different pieces. The mass spectrometer then quickly switches between selecting which ionized compound to observe and which fragments it detects. It does this at incredible speeds and can detect multiple compounds at the same time. These instruments are so sensitive that we can detect down to one part per billion (ppb) in a single microliter.