Ethylglucuronide in Hair

The major part of ethylglucuronide (EtG) produced in the liver as a metabolite of alcohol is eliminated in urine. A small fraction is incorporated into the hair matrix. That way hair samples can be analyzed for EtG. According to national and international guidelines (SOHT, EWDTS) a concentration under 7 picogram per milligram hair suggests alcohol abstinence or very low alcohol consumption. An EtG value in hair between 7 and 30 pg/mg can be found in subjects with moderate alcohol consumption and an EtG concentration in hair higher or equal to 30 pg/mg strongly suggests excessive drinking (more than 60 g pure alcohol per day).
In the low risk responsible drinking guidelines of the WHO (World Health Organization) it is recommend that women should not drink more than two drinks a day on average (this corresponds to 16 - 28 g pure alcohol per day) and man, not more than three drinks (24 - 42 g pure alcohol per day).
Depending on the hair length an EtG analysis allows a retrospective detection of alcohol consumption. For example since head hair grows about 1 cm per month, a 3 cm long segment of head hair covers approximately a period of 3 months.

Further information on relevant topics

MPA Fitness to Drive

In most industrial countries if a driver loses his driving license as a result of drug or alcohol offense he has to prove abstinence for several months up to one year. The exact conditions of drug testing in urine or hair are different from country to country and depend on the individual situation.

Ethylglucuronide in Urine

Ethylglucuronide (EtG) is produced in the liver and is a direct metabolite of the alcohol consumed. It is progressively eliminated in urine and depending on the amount of alcohol taken ethylglucuronide can be detected for 12-48 hrs. EtG in urine is a short-term marker of alcohol consumption and can be used to demonstrate abstinence during the last 1 to 2 days.

Blood Alcohol

Blood alcohol (BAC) is the standard test following a positive breathanalyser test in roadside testing and in suspicion testing at workplace. As a forensic laboratory we measure the alcohol in compliance with the high standards of forensic toxicology so that the results can be used without restrictions in legal proceedings.

Nationwide Workplace Drug Testing

Workplace alcohol and drug testing, in form of random controls, is of increasing importance in security related sectors. Being forensically accredited, our laboratory offers and performs on-site ADM-testing (alcohol – drug – prescription medicine testing) nationwide.