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Alcohol Test in Lab: What are the Types of Procedures?

29 November, 2023

A man getting swabbed by a lab professional

Alcohol testing is a crucial process in many industries, including law enforcement, workplace, and healthcare. It helps determine the presence and concentration of alcohol in a person. The alcohol test in lab is an accurate and reliable method to ensure safety and compliance. Several types of procedures are available, such as saliva, urine, blood, and hair testing. Each method has its own unique advantages and considerations. Knowing these factors helps decide the most suitable procedure to use.

Individuals under the influence of alcohol contribute to the increased safety risks and hazards. It is one of the leading causes of accidents and injuries. As such, implementing alcohol testing laws and policies is necessary to maintain a healthy and safe environment. To ensure the validity and effectiveness of alcohol testing, it is crucial to understand the different types of procedures used in the lab. This article will present the methods of laboratory testing for alcohol.

Alcohol Test in Lab – Saliva and Urine Testing

Some of the cost-effective methods of alcohol tests in a lab are saliva and urine testing. They are relatively non-invasive and provide quick results. Saliva or oral fluid testing is the process of obtaining saliva samples through a mouth swab. The specimen can detect alcohol within minutes and up to 24 hours.

The urine test can detect ethyl alcohol or its metabolites for up to 48 hours after consumption. This method involves collecting a specified amount of urine samples. As such, laboratories look for the presence of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS). They are direct biomarkers of ethanol, which indicates alcohol consumption.

Moreover, laboratory procedures employ various techniques such as gas chromatography, mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography (LC), and enzymatic assays. The GC-MS test is considered the gold standard in alcohol and drug testing. The results of this test are highly accurate and can be used for legal purposes, such as evidence in court. In addition, it is useful for determining if a person has an alcohol use disorder.

Advantages of the Methods

  • Urine and saliva testing have a non-invasive sample collection procedure.
  • A test administrator obtains a saliva sample directly, minimising the likelihood of tampering or adulteration.
  • The saliva test is efficient for determining recent consumption of alcohol due to its shorter detection window.
  • The urine test can help monitor or identify alcohol use disorders due to its longer detection window.
  • They are efficient in monitoring compliance in treatment programs or workplace settings.
  • They provide quick results, usually within 24 hours.
  • Laboratory tests minimise the possibility of false positives. Any non-negative results from an initial screening will undergo further testing for confirmation.

Three samples of blood in a vial

Alcohol Test in Lab – Blood Testing

Blood sampling is the most accurate method of alcohol test in lab. It can detect ethyl alcohol and alcohol biomarkers for up to 12 to 24 hours after consumption. This method involves a phlebotomist or medical professional drawing blood samples, typically from the veins in the arms. The test can measure the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level, which is the percentage of the amount of alcohol in the system.

There are various methods to conduct alcohol blood tests. One method is the Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing. This procedure involves testing the blood samples for the presence of PEth, a unique biomarker that is only created by alcohol consumption. The test can detect high levels of alcohol consumption, even when the BAC levels are not detectable in regular tests.

Another method is the Carbohydrate-deficient Transferrin (CDT) test. CDT is another metabolite that can help health professionals determine heavy alcohol consumption. However, there are drawbacks to the blood test method. It is the most intrusive procedure, which requires needles to draw a sample. In addition, it is costly and time-consuming.

Accuracy and Reliability

Blood alcohol testing provides high accuracy and reliability in the results. It tests for ethyl alcohol directly in the bloodstream, so there is a lesser possibility of false positives. The blood test is the most accurate test for measuring the BAC levels. It can provide a comprehensive analysis of the alcohol content, which is useful in legal matters.

Furthermore, only a trained professional is allowed to perform the sample collection. Laboratories follow a strict chain of command to ensure the validity and integrity of the specimen. Additionally, it minimises the risk of tampering and adulteration. It also serves as confirmatory testing for preliminary alcohol screens.

A person holding a hair sample in a laboratory setting

Alcohol Test in Lab – Hair Testing

The hair test is another method of an alcohol test in lab. It involves cutting a few strands of hair, typically from the head, to detect the presence of alcohol metabolites. After ingestion, alcohol molecules enter the hair shaft through passive diffusion. These molecules are embedded in the hair and stay there as the hair grows.

Hair alcohol testing can detect alcohol use or consumption patterns for a more extended period than urine, saliva, or blood. Hence, it can help recognise chronic alcohol consumption or abuse. However, it is important to note that it cannot measure the exact ethanol concentrations. Likewise, the presence of alcohol in hair does not indicate current impairment.

Because of such limitations, the use of hair tests for alcohol may be limited to several situations. Employers may conduct this method during pre-employment to determine the suitability of job applicants. It is also useful in treatment programs. However, for random or reasonable suspicion cases, saliva or breath tests would be more effective.

Detection Window

The test often requires 1.5 inches of hair to trace possible consumption for the past 90 days. The longer the hair samples, the farther it can look back. This provides the longest period of detection, among other methods. Furthermore, hair samples are stable and less prone to tampering from external contaminants.

If head hair is not available, body hair is also applicable. In using body hair, it is essential to note that it may have a different detection window. This is due to the variables in the rate of hair growth. Moreover, head hair can be segmented into month-by-month profiles, whereas body hair cannot.

Conclusion

In summary, alcohol tests in a lab use several methods to detect and measure ethanol. The common methods are urine, saliva, blood, and hair testing. These procedures trace for alcohol or its biomarkers to indicate alcohol consumption within a specific timeframe. Depending on the type of test, it can also determine if a person has an alcohol use disorder. Furthermore, each procedure has different accuracy levels and detection windows for consideration.

The urine and saliva testing is convenient and cost-efficient for testing alcohol. It is common in law enforcement and workplaces due to its ease of use and quick results. Meanwhile, the blood test provides the highest accuracy in measuring the BAC. The hair test is also a reliable method for detecting alcohol use for several months. Thus, knowing these factors can help individuals or organisations decide which procedure is the most suitable given a particular situation.

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