Evaluation of the Q.E.D. Saliva Alcohol Test: a new, rapid, accurate device for measuring ethanol in saliva.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the accuracy of the Q.E.D. A-150 Saliva Alcohol Test, a new device that gives a specific quantitative blood alcohol level by measuring saliva alcohol concentration in the range of 0 to 150 mg/dL.


METHODS
Forty-two healthy volunteers consumed 4.5 to 6 oz of alcohol in the form of beer, wine, or liquor over a 90-minute period. Blood and saliva samples were obtained for alcohol measurement at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the last drink. Blood samples were analyzed within 24 hours by gas chromatography at a commercial clinical laboratory. Saliva samples were tested immediately using the new Q.E.D. A-150 Saliva Alcohol Test.


RESULTS
Excellent correlation was observed between saliva and blood alcohol levels over the range of 0 to 150 mg/dL (slope = 1.0; intercept = 2.4; r = .98).


CONCLUSIONS
The Q.E.D. Test is an accurate device for specific quantitative measurement of alcohol levels using saliva.
Christopher
T A
TA
Division of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Zeccardi
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D000431:Ethanol