What is Breath Alcohol Testing?
The standard for workplace alcohol testing in the United States is breath alcohol testing. Best practice, along with Federal and State regulations required the use of an evidential breath alcohol testing device (EBT); commonly called a breathalyzer. A list of approved EBT’s for Department of Transportation (DOT) required breath alcohol testing is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). DOT publishes this list, go to Approved Evidential Breath Measurement Devices.
A breath alcohol test using an EBT involves the person being tested to blow into a tube or mouthpiece connected to the testing device. The testing device then evaluates the breath sample and computes the blood alcohol content (BAC).
Negative results are available immediately. A positive test (at 0.02 BAC or above) will require a mandatory 15 minute waiting period and then a second test conducted called a confirmation which also yields instant results. This second result will always be the final result.
For DOT testing the confirmation testing must be conducted using an approved evidential breath testing device. For Non-DOT or Non-Regulated testing the use of the EBT is the best practice and may be required in some states. Individuals can choose personal alcohol testing for accurate, confidential screening with the same reliable methods used for official testing.
EBT breath alcohol testing with a breathalyzer does determine impairment or under the influence of alcohol.
Is instant alcohol testing available?
Yes, instant testing for alcohol is available. The use of a saliva based instant alcohol test can be used for DOT and Non-DOT alcohol testing for the initial screening but the result of 0.02 BAC or above must be confirmed with the EBT breathalyzer device.
The most common product on the market for instant saliva based alcohol screening testing is the Chematics Alco-Screen product. The features of this instant alcohol screen are:
- Rapid and highly sensitive method for detecting the presence of alcohol in saliva
- Provides an approximation of relative blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Simple, one-step test completed in approximately 2 minutes
- No instrumentation or calibration required
- Convenient and portable — suitable for use anytime, anywhere
- FDA 510(k) cleared and CLIA-waived testing device
- Warning: A positive result must be confirmed, typically with an EBT (Evidential Breath Testing) breathalyzer device
Contact National Drug Screening to purchase the DOT Alco- Screen .02 product available in boxes of 24.
What is alcohol ETG testing – urine and hair?
Ethyl glucuronide, or as it is commonly known, EtG, is a metabolite of alcohol, in particular, ethanol. EtG can be found in the body following exposure to ethanol. The ethanol exposure is typically the result of drinking alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
Since EtG is a metabolite that is present in the body after drinking alcohol, it is a suitable bioindicator or biomarker to test for alcohol ingestion. An EtG test can confirm alcohol abstinence over a specific period leading up to the test. When this happens, it is known as a negative EtG test result, meaning no instance of detected EtG during the screening.
A positive EtG test result, on the other hand, will confirm that an individual has consumed alcohol over a period leading up to the test. Exactly how long? That depends on the type of test – urine or hair.
EtG is Ethyl glucuronide and can be detected in urine for up to 80 hours after alcohol use. It can be detected in a hair sample for up to 90 days. EtG is the metabolite of ethanol that is detectable after passing through the liver.
The EtG test is not measuring impairment or under the influence, it tests us that the person has consumed alcohol with the shorter detection time with urine and the longer detection with hair.
EtG testing is not at all recommended for workplace testing programs. The test is not measuring current impairment.
We see folks ordering urine or hair testing for EtG for alcohol treatment programs, court cases, DUI and DWI, child protective agency cases, divorce cases and sometimes for probation. In the legal world, a lawyer could order an EtG test for their client to establish a history of no alcohol consumption and help build their case.
If your testing is required by the court or probation, visit our Court-Ordered Probation Alcohol Testing page for details.
A positive finding of EtG in the urine of an individual provides strong evidence that the person recently consumed alcohol, even if the alcohol itself is no longer detectable. Therefore, this compound is regarded as a biomarker of alcohol consumption and can detect relapses of alcohol use by an individual who is under restriction.
EtG is often used in follow up alcohol testing being monitored by a treatment professional. Individuals in a required EtG alcohol testing program need to be aware that this is a zero tolerance program for any consumption including mouthwash, breath spray, hand sanitizer and foodsprepared with or flavored with alcohol.
We get the question all the time, how do I pass an EtG alcohol test? If you want to pass an EtG hair follicle alcohol test, you need to discontinue the consumption of alcohol for at least 90 days before the test. If you want to pass an EtG urine test, you need to discontinue the consumption of alcohol for at least 80 hours, maybe even longer before the test.
What are common alcohol testing methods?
Alcohol testing is often tested with methods including:
Alcohol testing specimens comparison
Breath - EBT or Breathalyzer
A breath test detecting impairment or recent use of alcohol. Discussed above in the section – What is Breath Alcohol Testing? The detection window to determine impairment is a few hours after consumption of alcohol.
Saliva Alcohol Test
This can be a lab-based test or an instant test. The instant test is discussed above in the section – Is instant alcohol testing available?
Lab-based Testing For Alcohol Using Saliva
The alcohol concentration in saliva is closely related to blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A swab or pad is utilized to gather saliva, which is subsequently sent to a laboratory accompanied by a Custody and Control Form (CCF) and following chain of custody protocols. The laboratory conducts initial testing, and if the results are positive, further confirmation testing is carried out. Generally, employers will conduct self-collections for laboratory-based saliva testing, as the collection of these specimens is not readily available in most commercial facilities for drug testing.
The detection window for lab-based saliva testing is up to 12 hours after consumption. Results are presented in grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters (g/dL) or as a corresponding BAC value.
Urine
With urine there are two types of alcohol testing. One is EtG testing discussed in the section above – What is alcohol ETG testing – urine and hair?
The other type is a urine alcohol test detecting unmetabolized ethanol. This is ethyl alcohol still circulating in a person’s system at the time of testing. This test does not measure current impairment or intoxication and therefore should not be used for workplace alcohol testing.
The urine alcohol test can detect the unchanged ethanol for about 12 hours after consumption. The test does not confirm abstinence as the EtG testing does.
Here are the potential use cases for lab-based urine alcohol testing:
- Probation
- Court Ordered Testing
- DUI Cases
- Treatment Programs
- Hospital admissions (a blood test would be more common)
- Accident or fatality investigations
Urine alcohol testing can be combined with drugs of abuse testing but again not recommended for employment type testing.
Hair
Currently the only testing for alcohol with hair specimens is the EtG testing to determine past consumption of alcohol. EtG testing with hair is discussed above in the section on – What is alcohol ETG testing – urine and hair?
Blood
Blood testing for alcohol is a viable option and very reliable. It is not typically used for workplace, probation or court orders because it is expensive and invasive. An added complication is that it requires a medical professional (phlebotomist) using a needle and sterile equipment.
Blood alcohol testing is often used in law enforcement and medical settings.
The blood test for alcohol provides a result showing grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL) of blood which equate to BAC. The detection window is typically 12 hours perhaps more, with very heavy use.
Blood alcohol testing is accurate but not really practical for workplace use.
Can alcohol tests be combined with drug tests?
Yes, with both standard urine alcohol testing (ethanol) and EtG testing, drugs of abuse testing is available. This can be with the same specimen – urine or hair.
This is not recommended for workplace testing because the alcohol testing with either case does not give us a legally defensible result of impairment or intoxication.
Typically when an alcohol test is needed along with testing for drugs of abuse, the alcohol test with an EBT – breathalyzer and the drug testing is with urine or hair.
Review Our Testing Options for Alcohol Testing Combined with Drugs of Abuse
When do employers test for alcohol?
Most employers do not perform alcohol testing for pre-employment, but it is not prohibited to do so. If you do it for one you should do it for all.
DOT-regulated employers may be required to test for alcohol for random testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing and follow-up testing.
Non-DOT or Non-Regulated Employers typically perform alcohol testing for post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and often for follow-up testing.
Anytime there is direct observation of alcohol use at work or reasonable suspicion of impairment at work; both alcohol and drug testing should be performed. Supervisors should be able to make decisions based on signs and symptoms of potential impairment. Reasonable suspicion supervisor training can help greatly with the important responsibility of a supervisor.
Legal and regulatory considerations for alcohol testing?
For DOT-regulated employers, it is very clear and required to follow the DOT regulations for drug and alcohol testing. The testing should always be performed according to the DOT regulations 49 CFR Part 40.
For Non-DOT or Non-Regulated Employers, consider the following:
- State laws where you operate for alcohol testing (See State Laws)
- Best practices for alcohol testing – mirror the DOT required alcohol testing
- Discuss alcohol testing in your drug free workplace policy
- Avoid using urine as a specimen for workplace alcohol testing
Workplace alcohol testing is generally legal in all states. An employer conducting random testing might include alcohol or just do drug testing. Some states do limit random testing for non–safety-sensitive employees. Employers should always use a professional and trained person to conduct alcohol testing.
In Minnesota, there is a unique provision in the laws for Non-DOT or Non-Regulated Employer alcohol testing. With any instant testing for alcohol and the test result is positive, there must be confirmation testing at a licensed certified laboratory.
Employers can avoid exposure to liability with alcohol testing by carefully following the content above in this section legal and regulatory consideration for alcohol testing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can an employee refuse a workplace alcohol test?
An employee can always refuse any workplace drug or alcohol testing. This refusal may result in adverse consequences regarding the job, and the employee could potentially face termination of employment.
For DOT required alcohol testing a refusal to test will most definitely result in removal from the safety-sensitive position and a required referral to a Substance Abuse Professional.
Effective company drug-free workplace policies will outline the consequences of refusing employer required alcohol tests.
It is actually recommended to an employee who believes he or she will test positive on an alcohol test to go ahead and take the test instead of refusing. A few reasons why:
- The refusal is a guaranteed violation and will cause adverse employment consequences
- Some employers will give a second chance with rehabilitation, treatment, or reinstatement options for a positive test. This option is typically not available with a refusal.
- A review of any positive test can ensure fairness, there can be situations where the testing was not performed properly, and the test gets canceled
How long after drinking can alcohol be detected?
This depends on the specimen used and the type of alcohol testing.
detection windows for alcohol by specimen type
Are random alcohol tests legal?
Generally yes alcohol tests are legal, actually required for DOT-regulated employers. For Non-DOT or Non-Regulated Employers state laws should be reviewed and testing requirements and procedures should be outlined in company drug free workplace policy.
Random testing in itself should be reviewed as some states have restrictions on Non-DOT or Non-Regulated random drug and alcohol testing. In some jurisdictions random testing may be limited to safety-sensitive positions.
What happens if an employee fails an alcohol test?
For DOT regulated employees there is a requirement to remove from the safety-sensitive position and required referral to a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for a return to duty program. The employer also has the option to terminate employment or elect to bring the person back to the safety-sensitive position after the successful completion of the SAP and return to duty program. This person returning will have a requirement of a return to duty test and follow-up testing.
For Non-DOT or Non-Regulated Employers state laws should be reviewed as there may be a few states where termination is not allowed for a first time offense. Generally, employers will outline in their drug free workplace policies what the consequences for a positive alcohol test are. This could include termination of employment.
Conclusion
Alcohol testing is generally about safety in the workplace and compliance for those with alcohol issues. Depending on the objectives and goals of an alcohol testing program; multiple testing methods—including breath, saliva, urine, hair, and blood—serve different purposes.
For employers regulated by DOT, there are strict procedures and testing requirements to follow. Non-DOT or Non-Regulated Employers can stay on safe ground by using the DOT alcohol testing program as a best practice for their Non-DOT alcohol testing.
In legal, court, probation, and treatment environments, alcohol testing serves as essential evidence of either abstinence or consumption, bolstering rehabilitation and accountability