Spanish scientists say they have discovered traces of cocaine and LSD in the air in Madrid and Barcelona.
A new study has found the air there is laced with at least five drugs - most prominently cocaine.
The Superior Council of Scientific Investigations, a government institute, said on its website that in addition to cocaine, it found trace amounts of amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid in air-quality control stations.
But it said there was no reason for alarm.
"Not even if we lived for a thousand years would we consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine by breathing this air," said one of its scientists, Miren Lopez de Alda, in the statement.
The scientific group added that "in no case should these levels be considered representative of the air in the two cities".
In Madrid the test site was close to a ruined building believed to be frequented by drug dealers. And in both Madrid and Barcelona, the studies were carried out close to universities.
The group also said that the study showed higher concentrations of the components on weekends, suggesting that drug consumption was up in these periods.
Story filed: 11:57 Friday 15th May 2009 -->
A new study has found the air there is laced with at least five drugs - most prominently cocaine.
The Superior Council of Scientific Investigations, a government institute, said on its website that in addition to cocaine, it found trace amounts of amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid in air-quality control stations.
But it said there was no reason for alarm.
"Not even if we lived for a thousand years would we consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine by breathing this air," said one of its scientists, Miren Lopez de Alda, in the statement.
The scientific group added that "in no case should these levels be considered representative of the air in the two cities".
In Madrid the test site was close to a ruined building believed to be frequented by drug dealers. And in both Madrid and Barcelona, the studies were carried out close to universities.
The group also said that the study showed higher concentrations of the components on weekends, suggesting that drug consumption was up in these periods.
Story filed: 11:57 Friday 15th May 2009 -->
