Thursday, November 19, 2009

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.

Related Links:
Employee drug testing
Marijuana drug test
Breathalyzer

No comments: