意大利八城市空气检测出毒品成分

最近一项针对意大利八大城市空气成分的检测研究指出，各城市空气中都含有不同程度的可卡因和大麻成分，其中都灵空气中的毒品含量最高，佛罗伦萨空气中的大麻含量较高，而巴勒莫空气中的毒品含量最少。另外，研究人员还发现，全年空气检测中可卡因和尼古丁的含量相对稳定，而冬季时各城市空气中的大麻和咖啡因含量却明显高于夏季，他们认为这是季节性抑郁导致的。2006年罗马空气中检测出可卡因成分后，政府开始资助此项研究进行跟进，研究结果将有助于政府了解各地的毒品使用情况，并合理配置警力和戒毒资源。

A study of eight major metropolitan hubs in Italy, published this week in the journal Environmental Pollution, has found trace levels of cocaine and cannabanoids from marijuana use. The researchers also monitored the more pedestrian (and legal) drugs of abuse, nicotine and caffeine. The study is a government-sponsored follow-up to a 2006 study in Rome, which found trace elements of cocaine in the air.

Why measure atmospheric coke? It's not because the drugs are dangerous, nor are the levels in the air going to get you high. Instead, the researchers argue that measuring airborne quantities of the substances allows them to observe trends in use that can be used to inform policy, and potentially marshal resources more effectively.

The researchers found some interesting results and patterns. Palermo residents appeared to use the least drugs, while the good folks of Turin had the highest airborne drug levels. Residents of Florence like their marijuana, it seems -- not surprising, given the large community of college students who live there.

And while cocaine and nicotine use was steady year-round, caffeine and cannabinoid levels were far higher in the winter months than the summer. The researchers chalk that up to seasonal depression.

If the results hold up over time, the data could help the Italian government track the use of drugs, allowing them to efficiently deploy both police and treatment-related resources.