TEST & DRIVE ALCOHOL TEST ORAL FLUID X 5 PACK

Why is a saliva test necessary?

For those who have consumed alcohol heavily the previous night, it can be beneficial to determine if the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds legal limits the following morning, particularly for jobs requiring driving or intense concentration. Individual factors such as size, weight, metabolic rate, eating habits, and alcohol tolerance influence the results provided by a saliva test strip.

How accurate is this test?

Research confirms that the concentration of alcohol in saliva is comparable to that found in blood. The correlation between saliva alcohol levels and blood alcohol levels is 1:1, whereas breath tests show a ratio of 0.000048:1. This indicates that saliva serves as a more sensitive medium for testing than breath.

Test procedure

To ensure accurate results, nothing should be placed in the mouth for at least 10 minutes before collecting saliva, including food, drinks, tobacco products, or other materials. Saliva can be collected in a cup or clean container, or it can be applied directly to the reaction pad of the test strip. The following steps outline the testing procedure:

1. Open the foil package and remove the test strip.
2. Dip the reaction pad into the collected saliva or apply saliva directly to the pad. After 10 seconds, gently shake off any excess saliva.
3. Immediately start a timer; after 2 minutes, compare the reactive pad with the provided color chart.
4. Results read after more than 2 minutes may not be accurate.

While it is possible to detect alcohol in other liquids, the color chart on the package does not apply in those cases. If alcohol is present in the fluid, a color change will occur, ranging from yellow to light blue, dark blue, or black, as the concentration of alcohol increases. Little or no color change may occur with pure alcohol due to the lack of water necessary for the reaction.

Results interpretation

• Negative: Almost no color change when compared to the background. This indicates that the BAC is less than 0.02%.
• Positive: A distinct color develops across the pad, indicating that the BAC is 0.02% or higher.
• Invalid: The test is considered invalid if only the edge of the reactive pad changes color, suggesting insufficient sampling. Retesting is advised.

This test can measure alcohol levels ranging from zero to above the legal driving limit. In the UK, the legal limit is currently 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, equivalent to 0.08% as indicated on the packaging.

Test Limitations

Inaccurate results may occur if the testing instructions are not followed correctly. It is important to keep the following in mind:

• Waiting less than 15 minutes after consuming food, drink, or other materials before testing can lead to contamination of the saliva and inaccurate results.
• Reading the result after more than 2 minutes may also lead to inaccuracies.
• This Rapid Alcohol Test is specifically designed for human saliva. A positive result indicates the presence of alcohol but does not measure the level of intoxication. Technical errors, procedural mistakes, or substances in certain foods and medications may interfere with the test and yield false results.
• Avoid using the test beyond the expiry date indicated on the outer packaging.

Storage instructions

Store this test at room temperature.