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FAQ Adulterants |
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What is Adulteration?
Adulteration is the tampering of a urine specimen with the intention
of altering the test results, rendering a positive reading into a
negative one. Users of illicit drugs have attempted to defeat drug
test by adding adulterants to the sample after collection as a way
to invalidate the testing procedures. The use of adulterants can
cause false negative results in drug test by either interfering with
the screening test or converting the drugs present in the urine to
other compounds. In addition, some donors try to substitute their
specimen with another liquid and others may dilute their specimen by
consuming excessive amounts of fluid or by adding water/other
liquids to their specimen after collection.
How bad is this problem?
Experts estimate that 4% of the urine samples currently submitted
are adulterated and that the problem is only growing. They are
easily obtained from magazines, “head shops”, and the internet.
Do Adulterants Work?
Most do not work very well. However some adulterants do affect the
results of drug testing. New generations of adulterant products are
becoming more effective.
What is the nature of these adulterants?
There are 2 classes of adulterants. For Example:
| Household Products |
Commercial Adulterants |
| - Water
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- "Stealth" (oxidant) |
| - Bleach
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- "THC-FREE" (acid
- pH) |
| - Detergents |
- products designed to dilute the
specimen (specific gravity) |
What can be done to combat this problem?
Preventative measures include random drug testing (little or no
notice before a drug test) and observed collections. Since these
aren’t always appropriate measures in all circumstances one of the
best ways to identify specimen tampering is to perform specimen
validity testing.
How does Specimen Validity testing work?
One of the best ways to detect adulteration is to look for certain
characteristics such as pH, Specific Gravity, Oxidants, color and
Temperature,
- pH test for acidic or Alkaline products in urine. Normal pH should
be in the Range of 4.0 to 9.0. Values outside this range may
indicate the sample has been “spiked” or altered
- Oxidants/PCC (Pyridinium Chlorochromate): test for the presence of
oxidizing agents such as bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Pyridinium
Chlorochromate (sold under the brand name UrineLuck) is a commonly
used adulterant. Normal human urine should not contain oxidants or
PCC
- Specific Gravity test for sample dilution. The normal range is
between 1.003 and 1.030. Values outside this range should be
considered adulterated.
- Glutaraldehyde: test for the presence of an aldehyde. Adulterants
such as UrinAcid and Clear Choice contain Glutaraldehyde which may
cause false negative screening results by disrupting the enzyme used
in some immunoassay test. Glutaraldehyde is not normally found in
urine; therefore, detection of Glutaraldehyde in urine specimen is
generally an indicator of adulteration.
- Nitrite: test for commonly used commercial adulterants such as Klear or Whizzies. They work by oxidizing the major cannabinoid
metabolite THC-COOH. Normal urine should contain no trace of
nitrite. Positive results generally indicate the presence of an
adulterant.
- Creatinine: is a waste product of Creatinine; an amino-acid
contained in muscle tissue and found in urine. A person may attempt
to foil a test by drinking excessive amounts of water or diuretics
such as herbal teas to "flush" the system. Creatinine and specific
gravity are two ways to check for dilution and flushing, which are
the most common mechanisms use in an attempt to circumvent drug
testing. Low Creatinine and specific gravity may indicate dilute
urine. The absence of Creatinine (<5mg/dl) is indicative of a
specimen not consistent with human urine.
- The Temperature of a urine specimen should be between 91 and 98
degrees Fahrenheit when checked within 4 minutes of collection.
Urine that is submitted at body temperature will exceed 90.5
degrees. Temperature below that range is suspect.
- A clear Color may indicate that the sample has been watered down.
Unadulterated, normal urine should be pale to Dark Yellow to Amber
in color. However, a sample should not be considered adulterated by
color alone, but should suspect for closer examination.
How do you interpret the test results?
By comparing the pad color to the color chart on the card provided.
The status (normal or Abnormal) will assessed.
What do I do if the sample test positive for Adulterants?
Be sure to review your drug testing policy for guidelines on
adulterated samples. We recommend you do not interpret The drug test
results and either retest the sample or collect another specimen.
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