New Psychoactive Substances in Wastewater from Rest Areas and Commercial Weigh Stations along Interstate Highways

Bikram Subedi; Durga Prasad Kodati; Abhya Niegocki; Anna O’Shea Stites; Chris Delcher

doi:10.1021/acs.est.5c09996

New Psychoactive Substances in Wastewater from Rest Areas and Commercial Weigh Stations along Interstate Highways

Bikram Subedi, Durga Prasad Kodati, Abhya Niegocki, Anna O’Shea Stites, Chris Delcher

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) poses a persistent threat to public health and safety worldwide. The lack of early and comprehensive detection of NPS has been a significant challenge for harm reduction initiatives. In this study, we demonstrate the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for the early detection of NPS, analyzing 547 samples collected over 12 months from five rest areas and two commercial weigh stations along interstate highways in Kentucky. Using a validated ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, several target NPS were quantified, including two synthetic opioids (p-fluorofentanyl and metonitazene), a synthetic cannabinoid (MAB-CHMINACA), a phenylpiperazine (mCPP), an alkaloid (mitragynine), and two synthetic cathinones (MDPV and MMMP). Notably, metonitazene was detected for the first time in 30% of wastewater samples─preceding reports in the state’s seized and toxicological data. Similarly, p-fluorofentanyl was also quantified for the first time in wastewater collected from these roadway facilities, with concentrations reaching up to 0.48 mg/d/1,000 people in 83% of samples (n = 66) at I-64E. The lower dilution factors of human excreta at these point-of-release facilities, combined with higher-resolution data on wastewater inflow and user populations, highlight the potential of WBE as an effective regional early warning system for NPS.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	24302-24309
Number of pages	8
Journal	Environmental Science and Technology
Volume	59
Issue number	45
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c09996
State	Published - Nov 18 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 American Chemical Society

Funding

This project is supported by award# 2022-R2-CX-0013, awarded by the National Institute of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice. The authors also acknowledge the following: Jones/Ross Research Center, Chemistry Department at the Murray State University for providing access to the UPLC-MS/MS instrument; David Cornett (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet), Sharon Lovejoy, Benton Hoagland, James Owen, Derek Petrey, and Larry Bailey for assistance in sampling access at the rest areas; Tony Hicks for sampling assistance; and Katie Gray, Tyler Whitt, Andrew Windhorst, Landon Jones, Anita Sapkota, and Sally Yousef (University of Kentucky) for assistance in sample and data analysis. We also thank Thomas J. Alka for helping to create the graphical abstract.

Funders	Funder number
National Institute of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice
Derek Petrey
Sharon Lovejoy

Keywords

cathinones and cannabinoids
fentanyl and fentanyl analogs
highway restroom facilities
new psychoactive substances
nitazenes
wastewater

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1021/acs.est.5c09996

Cite this

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abstract = "The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) poses a persistent threat to public health and safety worldwide. The lack of early and comprehensive detection of NPS has been a significant challenge for harm reduction initiatives. In this study, we demonstrate the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for the early detection of NPS, analyzing 547 samples collected over 12 months from five rest areas and two commercial weigh stations along interstate highways in Kentucky. Using a validated ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, several target NPS were quantified, including two synthetic opioids (p-fluorofentanyl and metonitazene), a synthetic cannabinoid (MAB-CHMINACA), a phenylpiperazine (mCPP), an alkaloid (mitragynine), and two synthetic cathinones (MDPV and MMMP). Notably, metonitazene was detected for the first time in 30\% of wastewater samples─preceding reports in the state{\textquoteright}s seized and toxicological data. Similarly, p-fluorofentanyl was also quantified for the first time in wastewater collected from these roadway facilities, with concentrations reaching up to 0.48 mg/d/1,000 people in 83\% of samples (n = 66) at I-64E. The lower dilution factors of human excreta at these point-of-release facilities, combined with higher-resolution data on wastewater inflow and user populations, highlight the potential of WBE as an effective regional early warning system for NPS.",

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New Psychoactive Substances in Wastewater from Rest Areas and Commercial Weigh Stations along Interstate Highways

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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