What is an EtG Blood Test?

Alcohol is one of the most popular beverages in the world. However, excessive amounts of alcohol can have severe repercussions. Alcohol use can affect perceptions, cognition, and judgment, all of which are required for job performance. As a result, alcohol intoxication can significantly increase the risk of workplace accidents and injuries. Fortunately, alcohol at work is a preventable workplace danger. Many companies have a workplace policy in place to reduce any avoidable risks. An Ethyl Glucuronide or EtG blood test can detect recent alcohol consumption through a person’s blood samples. Therefore, an EtG test can be helpful for companies to test employees’ alcohol use. However, nowadays, most businesses use a breathalyser like the BACtrack device to test for alcohol due to convenience and accuracy.

An alcohol test is a standard process that can assist employers in reducing the safety risks associated with alcohol use. Alcohol impairment has always been a safety concern, particularly in high-risk occupations such as mining, aviation, construction, and transportation. Similarly, alcohol use has resulted in severe injuries, disabilities, property damage, and productivity and compensation losses. As a result, conducting alcohol testing using an EtG blood test or a breathalyser is critical to avert workplace mishaps. A breathalyser, such as the BACtrack, is an effective device for determining alcohol intake. The BACtrack workplace breathalysers are available on the Breathalysers New Zealand website to help businesses conduct frequent alcohol testing in workplaces.

EtG Blood Test: Alcohol Detection Window

An EtG blood test can detect alcohol use up to 4-8 hours after consumption. However, the EtG concentrations in blood are low; therefore, the detection time is shorter. Alcohol testing in the workplace using a breathalyser or an EtG test is a practical approach for determining employees’ alcohol use or intoxication. A breathalyser test can detect the presence of alcohol and estimate the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level immediately. A breathalyser, such as the BACtrack, can deliver alcohol findings in 10 to 15 seconds, allowing companies to test employees more frequently. Breathalysers New Zealand offers reliable workplace devices for accurately measuring BAC levels. Furthermore, utilising the BACtrack breathalyser is non-invasive and simple to perform. Anyone can conduct alcohol breath testing using a breathalyser by providing a sufficient breath sample to the device’s mouthpiece. Then, the device will immediately analyse the breath sample and convert it to a BAC level.

EtG Blood Test: Other Test Methods

An EtG blood test is used to document alcohol abstinence. Aside from a blood test, employers can use other methods to detect EtG. In particular, employers can use the BACtrack devices from Breathalysers New Zealand to calculate BAC levels ranging from 0.00% to 0.40%. This BACtrack feature can assist employers in determining employees’ alcohol use, even with a tiny amount consumed. Breathalysers New Zealand offers reliable workplace breathalysers like the BACtrack S80 Gen2 and Mobile Gen2 to help employers maintain workplace safety. Furthermore, the following are the several testing methods that can detect employees’ alcohol use:

• Oral fluid Test: A chemical assay strip is used in the saliva or mouth swab test to identify the presence of alcohol for up to 24 hours.
• Hair Follicle Test: A hair test has a longer detection window and can detect alcohol use for up to 90 days. This method also aids in assessing a person’s previous alcohol or substance use. It can detect when and how much alcohol is consumed and periods of abstinence.
• Urine tests: Urine testing can identify alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, depending on how much is consumed. Alcohol in urine can also be identified for up to 90 hours utilising modern methods such as EtG testing.
• Breath Test: A breath test is the standard method for detecting alcohol. A breathalyser, such as BACtrack, takes and analyses the breath sample to determine the alcohol concentration. The device detects alcohol in breath samples and displays the exact BAC level. 

EtG Blood Test: Testing Situations

Alcohol is a substance that enters the bloodstream and travels to organs such as the lungs, brain, liver, and heart. Then, it can leave the body through breath, sweat, or urine. Therefore, businesses can employ a breathalyser like the BACtrack to test for alcohol accurately and quickly. A breathalyser can also detect alcohol for 12 to 24 hours after consumption. Furthermore, companies can conduct alcohol testing using an EtG blood test or breath test for the following reasons and situations:

• Pre-employment: Employers can use this test to assess whether a prospective employee has harmful substance behaviour that can jeopardise workplace safety.
• Post-incident: Testing personnel after an accident to identify the cause and if impairing substance was a factor.
• Random: Employers execute unannounced testing on employees to detect current intoxication.
• Reasonable Suspicion: An employee who exhibits apparent signs of intoxication is subjected to an alcohol test. An employer, for example, can require a test for an employee who has bloodshot eyes and an odour of alcohol on their breath. Employers can conduct testing to identify whether a suspected employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Alcohol Testing using a Breathalyser

Employers can administer a breath test using a reliable device like the BACtrack breathalyser as an alternative for an EtG blood test. Most BACtrack workplace breathalysers use fuel cell sensor technology to assess precise and reliable BAC levels. Furthermore, the high-quality devices from Breathalysers New Zealand feature enlarged fuel cell sensors that precisely measure BAC levels. Additionally, law enforcement uses a police breathalyser with the same sensor technology as the BACtrack to conduct roadside screening. The fuel cell sensor is sensitive to ethanol and does not react to other substances. For example, the fuel cell sensor will not affect the BAC results of people with diabetes and on a low-calorie diet. As a result, it is unlike to produce false-positive results. The BACtrack workplace breathalysers are ideal for any organisation that wants quick and reliable alcohol breath testing. 

Breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand

An EtG blood test and a breathalyser are both helpful for any company to detect alcohol use. However, businesses must employ testing devices that meet New Zealand standards to ensure accurate alcohol testing. The BACtrack breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand have FDA approval as an effective screening device. Also, the BACtrack professional breathalysers can assist organisations in evaluating and closely monitoring workplace sobriety. Anyone, even for personal use, can have the BACtrack device to avoid exceeding the 0.05 per cent alcohol driving limit. Furthermore, the BACtrack breathalyser has a one-button operation, allowing anyone to do a breath test immediately. This feature enables businesses to do more frequent alcohol testing in workplaces. Undoubtedly, the BACtrack breathalyser from Breathalysers New Zealand can significantly assist employers with workplace alcohol testing. Their uses help workplaces reduce accidents, injuries, and lower costs.