All about Hair Alcohol Tests

Hair grows by absorbing special markers called Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) and Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEEs). These markers remain indefinitely long in the hair as long as the person doesn't shave or cut his or her hair. Since the FAEE and EtG markers are only produced when there is alcohol in the blood,more markers indicates that the individual has consumed more alcohol. Extensive research has established a baseline for EtGs and FAEEs regarding the drinking patterns of different kinds of people such as heavy drinkers, social drinkers, and non-drinkers. Only scalp hair leads to an accurate alcohol assessment. The test fails if the person has short hair (less than 1/2”) or if the person shaves his or her head. One of the advantages of hair tests is that the accuracy can be accurate up to several months back, if not years. This technique was not popular until 2008, being used only for drug testing until then.

These tests are many times costlier than urine testing methods and are relatively a non-intrusive method of alcohol testing. They require a sample of hair approximately the diameter of a pencil and about 1.5inches long. There has been no adulterant discovered that can alter the results of the blood alcohol. The advantage is that they have a long window of detection,offer greater stability,provide convenient shipping and storage requiring no refrigeration and are impossible to adulterate.

They are relatively expensive,unpopular. They will also not work on hair less than 1/2” or 1” long,if the person shaves his head or the test is performed on body hair and it cannot be performed on a single hair no matter how long the hair is.

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All about Breath Alcohol Tests

They are the most common forms of breath alcohol testing. They do not directly measure the blood alcohol content but indirectly measure the amount of the alcohol in the person's breath. In addition to detecting the alcohol in the alcohol beverages, they detect the alcohol in other substances having a similar molecular structure. They could result in false readings caused from cell phones, police radios, electrical interference, moisture, dirt, and tobacco smoke. Further, the compounds found in gasoline, paint removers, cleaning fluids, celluloids and lacquers. The presence of blood, vomit, or alcohol can lead to false BAC results. Holding a person's breath, hyperventilation, or false exercise can also lead to false readings. Failure to recalibrate the instrument when necessary may lead to false readings.

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All about Saliva Alcohol Tests

The amount of alcohol in the person's saliva is a good measure of the amount of saliva present in the person's blood. Considering the fact that the concentration of alcohol in saliva is very likely to be similar to the blood alcohol content in the blood, saliva test is a preferred method of measuring alcohol to the blood alcohol test. They are slightly expensive than urine testing, but less than hair or blood testing. They are relatively non intrusive and are becoming more common compared to other forms of testing. They can detect the use of alcohol in the past one day or so.

Pros of Saliva Tests: In these tests, samples are acquired under direct observation, present a minimal risk of tampering, and save patients the discomfort of repeated vein punctures. They are non-invasive and present no risk of thrombosis, infection, or anemia. The total testing costs are low since no special staff training is required for sample collection. They not only detect alcohol use but also reflect recent drug use and provide a short window of detection approximately 10 to 24 hours.

Cons of Saliva Tests: They have some limitation since drugs and drug metabolites do not remain so long in the saliva as they do in urine. They are less efficient in detecting marijuana use.

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