dangerous knowledge in frankenstein essay

Dangerous Knowledge in “Frankenstein” by Shelley

Introduction, frankenstein, dangerous knowledge, importance of the issue.

By nature of reasoning, knowledge is a form of conviction that differs from opinion or conjecture. A person’s or something’s awareness or knowledge, such as information, abilities, or things, contributes to one’s comprehension. At the same time, maladaptive pursuit of knowledge can generate adverse effects due to the presence of obsession and absence of realism. Dangerous knowledge is related to potential negative consequences for the humanity due to the inadequate use of resources, incorrect recognition of opportunities and abilities, and unethical behavior.

Frankenstein is considered to be a novel authored by Mary Shelley, an English novelist. The book Frankenstein portrays the narrative of Victor Frankenstein, a theoretical scientist who, in an unusual laboratory test, produces a sentient monster. In addition, in the work Frankenstein , the author depicts the whole history of Victor that is a skilled researcher and who triumphs in providing life to a creature he invented. Nevertheless, this is not the ideal specimen he had envisioned, but rather a repulsive monster despised by Victor and humanity in particular. The Monster subsequently seeks vengeance by murdering and terrorizing others. Victor’s fascination with science grows into an obsession and mania while at university. Victor experiments on dead victims and constructs a monster out of parts of the body. He is appalled by what he has made and abandons the creature immediately and permanently. Victor, on the other hand, assumes the Monster is to be accountable for the deaths of his people after seeing it at the crime site. Frankenstein passes away in the final letters, and the Monster, remaining unhappy, flees, most presumably to its own demise.

Concerning the identification of one specific issue that Frankenstein seems to be raising in the early chapters, it is feasible to emphasize the question of dangerous and risky knowledge. As it is described in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , the ambition to seek the unknown and undiscovered can occasionally result in one’s own death. Humans have an intrinsic desire to explore any real meanings inside the environment, yet these journeys for the unknown can occasionally lead to unintended consequences. In his quest for the mystery of life, Victor Frankenstein constructed a living creature that he assumed to be the key to the wisdom he had long sought. To inform Robert Walton about the dangers of aspiration and the chase for destructive knowledge, Victor Frankenstein attempted to explain him his experience (Shelley). Despite the fact that his actions were counterproductive when he saw his product and the unconditional damage it would cause instantly.

The quest of hazardous understanding is the general statement Frankenstein ’s idea conveys in terms of research, innovation, and human situations. Victor Frankenstein demonstrates his uniqueness from the start of the novel (Shelley). He is obsessed with learning the mysteries of heaven and existence, which eventually leads to his demise (Shelley). This is information that extends beyond typical human bounds and can occasionally oppose the desired outcome. Victor’s development of artificial life and his rash quest of science led to the deaths of everyone he cared about. Victor, paradoxically, lost the lives of people he actually cared about in his endeavors to find the mystery of life by making his own. Victor’s refusal to accept the unfamiliar resulted in his eventual anguish and, as a consequence, his lack of knowledge. He rejected to be satisfied with his existing meaning of reality and pursued a deeper comprehension of life, which only served to destroy his delight.

Even with instances such as Frankenstein, nevertheless, human beings will not be happy with their existing understanding. There will definitely be additional step or phase people can take or advancement individuals can make in their quest to discover the unknown. Researchers will try to constantly push the boundaries of human situations and study the depths of hidden knowledge in an effort to go beyond what is realistically attainable within human existence. Even if the bad repercussions exceed the benefits, this will occur.

In social contexts where individuals agree to know things jointly, knowledge may be hazardous based on how it is generated or communicated. Excessively obtained knowledge can suffocate the most profound discoveries and hypotheses. Victor seeks to oppose acknowledged human limitations in order to unlock the true meaning of life, which lies at the core of Frankenstein . Similarly, Robert Walton aspires to go above and beyond past human endeavors by attempting to reach the North Pole. In fact, the aspect of danger in knowledge is related to the absence or lack of responsibility for the probable outcomes.

Considering how the form and style of the letters and chapters help shape the perception of the identified issue, it is possible to emphasize the manner Victor describes and explains his motive. Victor Frankenstein hinted at his ambition to function as God and stray from scientific and intellectual standards (Shelley). Through the form and style of the letters Victor assumes his abilities and opportunities are unlimited and the unknown will be discovered solely by him. In his expressions, Victor appears not only to be obsessed, but self-confident, and the level of confidence is connected to the unconditional degree of knowledge. The style illustrates total inability to accept the reality or realistic limits of human power and ethical considerations.

The issue of dangerous knowledge can be presented as important due to several factors. Firstly, it is obligatory to highlight the ethical principle that was underlined in Frankenstein . Victor delivered life into the world in an unnatural method, which is possibly immoral and unethical. He was compelled to construct the monster by an unexplained burning urge. He was engrossed in his research, which would eventually lead to the creation of this life form. After he develops and then enlivens his monster, Victor’s continual inability to accept responsibility plagues both his existence and the lives of everyone around him. Secondly, the pursuit of unlimited and undiscovered knowledge in an inadequate manner can lead to significantly negative consequences. The humanity will always benefit from explorations and scientific findings but exclusively if done controlled and ethically. Dangerous knowledge is linked to the possibility of adverse affects for mankind as a result of inefficient resource allocation, erroneous assessment of options and capabilities, and unethical action.

To summarize, Mary Shelley, an English novelist, is credited with creating the book Frankenstein . The novel Frankenstein narrates the story of Victor Frankenstein, a theoretical scientist who creates a sentient monster in an extraordinary laboratory experimentation. In terms of science, creativity, and human problems, Frankenstein ‘s general remark is related to the search for hazardous understanding. From the beginning of the novel, Victor Frankenstein exhibits his singularity. He is preoccupied with discovering the secrets of heaven and existence, which ultimately to his death. Knowledge may be harmful in social circumstances when individuals agree to know something together depending on how it is created or transmitted.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein . Sourcebooks Wonderland, 2020.

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Frankenstein

Dangerous knowledge and the desire to share it in mary shelley’s frankenstein jessie lieberson college.

From its outset, Frankenstein establishes a link between the procuring of knowledge, or the uncovering of secrets, and evil. Walton’s sister’s ‘evil forebodings’ that surround his attempt to reach the North Pole, pointed out in the very first sentence, signal immediately not only the dangers that accompany the pursuit of knowledge irresistible to a Romantic over-reacher like Walton (and of course like Frankenstein himself), but also that Walton is a character (again like Frankenstein) who is perhaps irresistibly drawn to danger. That the reader himself is implicated in this dangerous expedition into the unknown is made clear as we are positioned as the audience for the terrible secret that Walton, as the transcriber Frankenstein’s history, is going to disclose. It has been noted that, not unlike Paradise Lost, a moral exploration upon which Frankenstein heavily leans, the book is one which has gone beyond the limits of its text, and is now a product of criticism, rather than a work of literature. Mary Shelley’s description of the novel as her ‘hideous progeny’ is an indication that, quite apart from the story it tells, Frankenstein as an entity is a symbol of how a secret, once revealed, or “born”, cannot be deleted, but must...

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Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley Term Paper

Published in 1818 (Mellor 05), Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus is a gothic novel written by Mary Shelley. The novel incorporates aspects of romance with some aspects of horror which is depicted by the character of the monster (Mellor 10).

Mary Shelley wrote the novel at a time when the world was changing very fast in all spheres that are in agriculture, transport industry and technological developments among others. It was the era of industrial Revolution and this era saw the world population increase and people started to earn more.

Coupled with the changes that were occurring in the world due to industrialization, people’s living standards started to improve and this also produced some effects to people’s culture.

The novel therefore was a clear reflection of what some of these advancements that were being invented during the industrial revolution would bring to the human race and perhaps act as a warning to people who were in pursuit of knowledge and inventions, to think of the consequences of their inventions before they brought harm to the human race (Mellor 17).

The milieu in which the novel, Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus is situated served as a warning to people that the technological developments brought about by the quest for knowledge (Rauch 67) could bring about the very threat to human existence and who are we to question Mary Shelley’s warning.

Since the onset of industrialization, people have continued to talk about population increase to the extent of constraining our natural resources, global warning, pollution from factories and ethical issues related to technological advancements in the study of human beings for instance human cloning.

It therefore should not be a surprise the way Mary Shelley portrays the theme of dangerous knowledge with so much negativity in the novel and also through the way Frankenstein’s monster turned out to be hideous just like the hideous outfit mother earth wears of polluted environment (Stableford 35), lack of ethics to humans, among others due to advancement in the field of knowledge and man wanting to explore fields that are beyond his limit.

To bring out the theme of dangerous knowledge quiet clearly in the novel, Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus, we can first of all analyze the symbolic title of the novel. Borrowing the word Prometheus from Greek ancient stories, Prometheus was known to be very intelligent and accredited with shedding light to mankind through stealing fire which was hidden from humans by Zeus (god).

Through this act of Prometheus, man was able to cook using the fire and became civilized. Perhaps Mary Shelley inclusion of Prometheus in the title of the novel had a deeper meaning? Perhaps she wanted to illustrate how through Prometheus’s intelligence of stealing fire from Zeus, mankind had been able to do bad and good things with the fire for instance cook and use the fire to sharpen iron tools and thereby kill.

For whatever reasons she gave the novel the title, The Modern Prometheus, it has great similarities with the ancient Greek legends of Prometheus in relation to dangerous knowledge.

Therefore, the theme of dangerous knowledge flows out throughout the novel that is from the first pages of the novel to when Frankenstein would die before he is able to kill his own creation. The creature eventually destroys itself through committing suicide (Shelley 55).

Prometheus can therefore be likened to Frankenstein for Prometheus did the evil of stealing the fire due to his intelligence and Frankenstein created the monster as a result of pursuit of dangerous knowledge which brought sadness through the way it killed people.

To briefly recap the story, Frankenstein recounted to Robert Walton how he had been obsessed with science and created the giant image that Walton had seen though not knowing that it was a monster (Stableford 40). Frankenstein created the monster while he had hoped to create human life (Freedman 100).

After he was through with the creation, Frankenstein was not pleased by his creation (Freedman 89) for the monster turned out to be ugly and he abandoned the monster. The monster becomes bitter for being left by his creator and therefore seeks to revenge through killing the people who are close to Frankenstein. It is prominent human beings may use their knowledge and come up with invention which they would not be happy about later on.

The monster murders William, and Justine who is implicated in the murder of William dies in the process; Clerval also becomes a victim of the monster quest for revenge on his creator and is murdered when the monster sees Frankenstein destroy his female companion whom he had agreed to create for him.

Frankenstein like Justine is also implicated in the murder of Clerval for the body of Clerval was found on Irish Beach where Frankenstein was. As if the monster had not done enough damage, he also murders Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s wife and this shocks Frankenstein’s father who also dies.

The main character Frankenstein has a passion for science and it is this passion that propels him to acquire knowledge which later on becomes dangerous not only to him but to even his family and friends (Holmes 15). From the novel, Mary Shelley depicts Frankenstein as a person who is obsessed with science and what science could do to mankind if utilized (Freedman 69).

In the novel, Frankenstein therefore sees the world around him through the eyes of science and the reason why he created the monster. The danger in obsession with acquiring knowledge eventually turns tragic for Frankenstein when his own creation leads him to his own death (Rauch 60).

This is another sign that quest for knowledge that allows humankind to do things which are beyond his/her control can result to. It also shows that there is no point of man performing the role of God for there are some things that are beyond human understanding.

The theme of dangerous knowledge is first encountered in the first pages of the novel when Captain Robert Walton is exploring the North Pole in search of scientific facts that can make him famous and also help him increase his nest of friends through his scientific discoveries which he hopes to find (Holmes 25).

It is not in vain to note that Captain Robert Walton also was in pursuit of knowledge when he saw Frankenstein. It is also satirical to note that at that time Robert Walton was exploring the North Pole, he finds Victor Frankenstein, a victim of dangerous knowledge. Victor Frankenstein when found by Captain Robert Walton narrates his experiences to the Captain (Shelley 9).

At the beginning of his narration, Frankenstein first cautions Robert Walton against pursuing knowledge to heights that are beyond limit (Shelley 3). Therefore Captain Robert Walton is warned of his pursuit of knowledge, of whether his search for scientific knowledge was going to bring him shame and regret like it had brought Frankenstein or acquaintance and recognition like he was hoping to get.

“Lean from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how happier the man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (Shelley 53).

The two characters, Frankenstein and Captain Robert Walton, share the drive for acquiring knowledge though Frankenstein had gone a little further and created the monster.

On the contrary, we cannot also dismiss Robert Walton, for his desire and quest for knowledge made him sail through the North Pole. The North Pole is a region that is mostly covered by ice and few explorers have managed to explore the whole of the region. It is a region that most explorers who set up to explore always find themselves turning back to the south lest they risk getting lost.

No explorer can be said to have explored the North Pole successfully even in the present day for there are some areas which are unreachable. However, Robert Walton (Holmes 28) is ambitious in exploring the dangerous place so that he could only acquire scientific facts.

What kind of drive would make a man that obsessed with facts if not the drive for dangerous knowledge (Stableford 14)? He eventually risk his life for he ends up trapped in the North Pole and luckily for him, finds Frankenstein who warns him of his pursuit of dangerous knowledge and they head back south.

Drawing from my own conclusion, Robert learns from Frankenstein that pursuit for knowledge can be dangerous and therefore turns back.

The novels is in the context of industrial revolution and therefore caution to the explorers and a cry from Mary Shelley that there should be more cautious when dealing with the technological advancements and inventions in the industrial revolution era brought about by the desire of man to test beyond his limits thereby gaining recognition.

That it would have been better to head back like Walton did than to try and reverse the situation when it’s already too late like in the case of Frankenstein.

The theme of knowledge relates well with the two prominent people who are in search of knowledge in the novel. Both Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton had the passion for dangerous knowledge but for self gain.

To Frankenstein, knowledge was to help him discover things that were beyond humans and likewise for Captain Robert Walton, he was in pursuit of knowledge so he could only gain recognition among his friends. Therefore, the characters only use the knowledge they have for their own individual benefits as illustrated in the novel.

The character of the monster most definitely helps us to decipher the theme of dangerous knowledge. When the monster is talking about itself, a reader can be convinced beyond doubt that the creature is harmless and thus be supportive with it. Even at the early stages after its creation, the creature is harmless and only wanted affection. But as time goes by, the creature even learns how to read, becomes hostile to the humans more so his creator.

The theme of dangerous knowledge as depicted in the character of the monster is that people tend to endeavor in inventions and they are very passionate about them for these inventions are deemed to help them and not to destroy them (Rosenburg 4). Only when time elapses that we see the negative effects created by the consequences brought about by our endeavors of dangerous knowledge (Rosenburg 4).

The society is depicted by Frankenstein’s family and friends and collectively they are used in the novel to show how the desire for dangerous knowledge can influence the society negatively. The society as a whole is affected by the individual’s selfish ambitions for knowledge.

For instance, William, Frankenstein’s father, Clerval and Elizabeth all die as a result of Frankenstein’s pursuit of dangerous knowledge. This is symbolic in that, only few people are in hunt of dangerous knowledge but their inventions affect the whole society.

From the above analysis, it is evident that the theme of dangerous knowledge is approached with so much caution in the novel, Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus. Starting with the main character; Frankenstein, who is ashamed of how hideous his creation turned out to be and he therefore abandoned it.

“A flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy demon whom I had given life” (Shelley 34).

The fear of pursuing knowledge to heights that are dangerous is further propelled by the damage that the monster caused, that is, the way the monster ended up killing Frankenstein’s close friends and family members in pursuit of revenge.

Perhaps while narrating to the Captain his story, Frankenstein wanted to caution Captain Robert of the consequences of pursuing knowledge while not thinking of the consequences of such scientific discoveries.

We can also draw this conclusion from the fact that when Frankenstein’s monster demanded that Frankenstein create a female companion for him, Frankenstein first agreed but when he sat and thought of what two monsters could do to the human race if only one of them had so far killed his brother and set on fire the De Lacey’s chalet, Frankenstein eventually destroyed the female companion he was creating which of course angered the monster more.

Technological advancement which is brought about by Frankenstein’s pursuit of knowledge to the level that the knowledge becomes dangerous is portrayed as evil through the hideous monster.

The theme of dangerous knowledge in the novel also brings to our attention of the reaction of Frankenstein on finding out the monster was out to revenge on him. Frankenstein preferred to hide from the monster and eventually wanted to kill it after it had killed his family members and friends.

Should mankind therefore fear knowing too much to the extent that he does not put into use the knowledge he acquires to come up with new creations? In the novel, the monster wanted to talk with Frankenstein but it is Frankenstein who is reluctant to negotiate with the monster.

However, after careful thought and a lot of convincing by the monster, Frankenstein agreed to create a female companion so that the two monsters would disappear (Levine 72). Unfortunately, Frankenstein acting on second thoughts destroys the female creature.

This is an illustration that knowledge does not have to be too dangerous. This conclusion is drawn from the fact that the monster was willing to disappear from mankind only if it had a female companion so that it would not feel lonely and would live a normal life just like humans (Levine 72).

This is symbolic in that in as much as the theme of dangerous knowledge is prominent in the novel, Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus, knowledge does not have to be dangerous and human beings do not have to fear discovering such creations as Frankenstein’s monster (Levine 72).

Its only takes responsibility with dealing with the consequences of advancements brought about by dangerous knowledge rather than running away from our own actions.

“The world was to me a secret which I desired” (Shelley 36). Why then would Frankenstein fail to adore his creativity of bringing a creature to life? After his creation, Frankenstein fails to understand what he has done and therefore his life stops to have any meaning for with all the time he spent creating the monster, he had to spend more time devising ways in which he could destroy his creation.

How then is this pursuit of dangerous knowledge fulfilling? This is a clear pointer that stretching our ambitious to heights that we cannot cope with will bring disillusionments. This is the dangerous knowledge Mary Shelley talks about in the novel, the knowledge which makes our lives meaningless rather than useful.

To analyze the situation in real life position, many scientists spend their time in the laboratories coming up with new inventions that eventually destroy the existence of humans (Idiss 37). For instance, why would man invent green houses which have adverse effects on the environment and spend equal efforts in curbing these negative effects of green houses on the environment?

To say Mary Shelley had an insight of what the future would look like if man continued to pursue his quest for dangerous knowledge would be to understate her for she clearly illustrated the concept in her novel, Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus.

The theme of knowledge as portrayed in the novel, Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley brings to our attention the knowledge that society does not accept, that is dangerous knowledge (Shelley 5). By terming the pursuit of knowledge that surpasses human understanding as dangerous, Mary Shelley is referring to that knowledge that is of self gain (Shelley 13).

For instance, Victor Frankenstein created a monster by collecting bones and using science to bring the monster into life. He brought forth a creature that society could not accept as one of its own, as a human being and therefore Mary Shelley’s implication of dangerous knowledge in the novel (Shelley 5).

A classic novel that portrays themes which are even recent in the 21 th century despite the novel being written in 1818 is my ultimate conclusion. Nanotechnology, genetics, chemical engineering, space engineering, human cloning and the list is endless for what we human beings are trying to achieve through science. One is left to wonder whether science equates to the answer of all the problems that human kind experiences (O’Flinn 59).

Whether, it is in the reproduction process, science has taken its toll in solving the problems through test tube babies and cloning or in producing food to sustain the world population (O’Flinn 59), it is the scientific knowledge that humankind is making use of to solve this problems for instance the genetically modified foods (Idiss 57).

Do those people who come up with such scientific developments stop for a minute and think of the consequences before their technological advancements are put to test? Or do they first put the technological inventions to test and face the consequences later? Little is done to research on the negative effects of science and it’s only when there are adverse effects that certain discoveries are deemed as not good (O’Flinn 59).

For instance, during the industrial revolution, people were excited at the recent developments that we happening and scientists were in the mad rush of inventing and discovering new things, but if we closely look at the consequences that expansion of the industrial revolution brought to mother earth the reverse would be the better option, just like Victor Frankenstein wished to kill his creation for it brought him loneliness.

Works Cited

Freedman, Carl. “Hail Mary: On the Author of Frankenstein and the Origins of Science Fiction” . Science Fiction Studies. 2002. 60 – 144.

Holmes, Richard. Shelley: The Pursuit . 1974. London. Harper perennial. 2003.

Idiss, Brian. “ On the Origin of Species. Mary Shelley”. Speculations on Speculation. Theories of Science Fiction. Ed. James Gunn and Matthew Candelaria. Lanham. MD. Scarecrow, 2005.

Levine, George & U. C. Knoepflmacher. Eds. The Endurance of Frankenstein: Essays on Mary Shelley’s Novel . Berkeley. University Press. 1974.

Mellor, Anne. Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Fiction, Her Monsters . New York. Methuen. 1988.

O’Flinn, Paul. “Production and Reproduction: The Case of Frankenstein” . Literature and History. 1983. 199 – 300.

Rauch, Alan. “The Monstrous Body of Knowledge in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” . Studies in Romanticism. 1995 53 – 227.

Rosenburg, Amy. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Book Review . 12 th October, 2008.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein . 1816. London. Oxford University Press. 1971.

Stableford, Brian. “ Frankenstein and the Origins of Science Fiction”. Anticipations: Essays on Early Science Fiction and Its Precursors . Ed. DAVID Seed. Syracuse University Press. 1995.

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IvyPanda. (2022, August 20). Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley. https://ivypanda.com/essays/theme-of-knowledge-in-frankenstein-the-modern-prometheus-by-mary-shelley/

"Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley." IvyPanda , 20 Aug. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/theme-of-knowledge-in-frankenstein-the-modern-prometheus-by-mary-shelley/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley'. 20 August.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley." August 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/theme-of-knowledge-in-frankenstein-the-modern-prometheus-by-mary-shelley/.

1. IvyPanda . "Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley." August 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/theme-of-knowledge-in-frankenstein-the-modern-prometheus-by-mary-shelley/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley." August 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/theme-of-knowledge-in-frankenstein-the-modern-prometheus-by-mary-shelley/.

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Consumer Safety

• Cannabis rolling papers may be loaded with unsafe metals

Heavy users could be getting exposed to high levels of copper, chromium, and vanadium

By carolyn wilke, special to c&en, april 23, 2024.

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Cannabis users may be inhaling unsafe levels of heavy metals as rolling papers burn, according to a new study ( ACS Omega 2024, DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09580 ). Some papers used to prepare joints, particularly papers that contain dyes or have metallic-colored tips, contain enough copper or chromium to potentially harm frequent cannabis users.

“Most consumers appear to think that someone in the government must regulate this,” says Derek Wright, an environmental scientist at Lake Superior State University who coauthored the study. But in the US, both cannabis’s legal status and regulations on rolling papers vary by state. And though some states limit metal content in cannabis flower, they usually don’t regulate metals in the wrappers, even when the papers are used in prerolled joints and other ready-to-smoke products.

Chemists have known about metals in tobacco products for decades . More recently, researchers have uncovered metal exposure from vaping and found metal impurities in cannabis products . But this is the first study to do such a comprehensive analysis of the metals in rolling papers that are specifically for cannabis use, says Daniel Curtis, an analytical and atmospheric chemist at California State University, Fullerton, who wasn’t involved with the work.

Wright and his colleagues walked into Michigan retailers and bought rolling papers and paper cones that can be stuffed with cannabis, including brands deemed popular by store managers. Back in the lab, they measured the concentration of 26 metals in the products.

For the 53 products they tested, the researchers then estimated the maximum possible daily exposure, which could result if the whole paper was burned, for both a heavy user (defined as someone smoking 2 g of cannabis per day) and a very heavy user (someone smoking 5 g per day).

The exposure potential was low or modest in many samples. But in others, metal levels could be cause for concern. About one-quarter of samples contained contained levels of copper that were higher than guidelines for inhaled pharmaceuticals.

Wright’s team noticed that several of the colored cones were high in copper. The researchers found the element on a blue cone and on the blue, green, and purple stripes of a rainbow cone. The green and purple stripes likely contain blue, copper-based pigment, the researchers say. Further chemical analysis of a blue paper turned up several copper compounds: oxides, hydroxide, and silicate.

With some products, heavy users could be exposed to copper levels that are 4.5 times maximum exposure limits or higher. Inhaling copper can irritate the lungs, and the metal has been implicated in the onset of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Some samples had high concentrations of other metals, including chromium and vanadium. And some cones contained elevated quantities of antimony, most likely because the element is used as a catalyst for producing the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in their tips.

Removing such pigments and PET from rolling papers could reduce risks, Wright says. “None of these components are necessary.” Though more research would be needed to determine the specific harms of these metal exposures, it would be prudent for manufacturers to stop using them, he says.

One concern is medical marijuana users, Wright notes. “We have an at-risk population—so people that are already potentially sick with maybe serious diseases like cancer—using marijuana for pain management, and then potentially exposing themselves to things that could be conceivably hazardous.”

“This is a really important study,” Curtis says. He recommends future research measuring how much of the metal in paper is incorporated into smoke during use.

“We know cannabis use is increasing,” Curtis says. “If we can identify where potentially toxic chemicals are coming from, we can eventually use that information to make a safer product.”

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