Toxicological screening for drugs of abuse in samples adulterated with household chemicals.
OBJECTIVE
Urine samples that tested positive for two drugs of abuse, namely cannabis and methaqualone, were reassayed in the presence or absence of common household chemicals: Jik (sodium hypochlorite), Dettol (chloroxylenol), G-cide Plus (glutaraldehyde), Perle Hand Soap, ethanol, isopropanol and peroxide (20 volumes). These chemicals are frequently used for the adulteration of urine samples.


METHODS
Department of Pharmacology, University of Stellenbosch.


METHODS
Household chemicals, at three different concentrations, were added to urine samples that tested positive for methaqualone and cannabis. Samples were reanalysed on an ETS Plus Analyser (Syva Company, San Jose, Ca.) using Emit drugs-of-abuse urine test reagents.


RESULTS
Most of the chemicals tested influenced the outcome of positive toxicological screening results for these drugs. G-cide (glutaraldehyde) and Perle Hand Soap had the largest effect (false-negative) on the methaqualone test. Dettol (chloroxylenol) and Perle Hand Soap had the largest effect on the cannabis test. Higher concentrations of the adulterant were not always an indication of the extent of modification of the test result. The addition of certain chemicals (ethanol, isopropanol and peroxide) to the urine samples tested for methaqualone interfered with the test to such an extent that it gave invalid test results.
Uebel
Reinhard A
RA
Department of Pharmacology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, W Cape.
Wium
Cherylynn A
CA
D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003902:Detergents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008702:Methaqualone / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013019:South Africa; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*; D016482:Urinalysis
D003902:Detergents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008702:Methaqualone; C005188:Mandrax; D004155:Diphenhydramine