hand sanitizer

banannabag · Dec 28, 2009

I think the concern is that because it has etoh in it that you may be tempted to drink it. It does not cause a positive drug screen by only using it for hand cleansing. I use it at work all the time and have gone right after work for a urine and not had a problem. Hope that answers your question. Also you can ask your CW .

LilRedRN1973 · Dec 28, 2009

My state's BON told me not to use it, so I don't. They used the same reason for not using the hand sanitizer as for lotions with hemp in it....causing a false positive. I have a huge list of things that "could" cause false positives and am careful to stay away from them. Which sucks because I've had a massive sinus headache for the past few days, along with allergies and I can't take any medications for it because of the pseudoephedrine. Bah! LOL.

jackstem · Jan 3, 2010

i think the concern is that because it has etoh in it that you may be tempted to drink it. it does not cause a positive drug screen by only using it for hand cleansing. i use it at work all the time and have gone right after work for a urine and not had a problem. hope that answers your question. also you can ask your cw .

actually, the alcohol in hand sanitizers and numerous other products can cause a positive drug screen for alcohol. the substance abuse and mental health services administration (samhsa) center for substance abuse treatment has issued an advisory warning of the dangers of making decisions regarding a professional license or legal sanctions based solely on this test. it states in part:

currently, the use of an etg test in determining abstinence lacks sufficient proven specificity for use as primary or sole evidence that an individual prohibited from drinking, in a criminal justice or a regulatory compliance context, has truly been drinking. legal or disciplinary action based solely on a positive etg, or other test discussed in this advisory, is inappropriate and scientifically unsupportable at this time. these tests should currently be considered as potential valuable clinical tools, but their use in forensic settings is premature.

gregory e. skipper, md, fellow, american society of addiction medicine, and consultant to the alabama board of medical examiners sent an advisory (ethylglucuronide test advisory) to the alabama physician's health program warning;

"a positive etg is not proof of intentional alcoholic beverage consumption. low level positive tests are known to occur due to incidental exposure. the cutoff for possible incidental exposure vs. intentional use has not been accurately established, due to many factors including; amount of "incidental" exposure, individual metabolism, hydration, kidney function, etc..

there are several class action lawsuits (new jersey, pennsylvania, as well as individual suits dealing with this very issue.) there are also numerous articles on the internet discussing this issue.here's just one from the ob/gyn news: alcohol test may be condemning the innocent).

(additional post regarding this topic: re: failed drug test by first lab)

for a list of products that contain alcohol follow this link.

be sure to read labels of all products to see if alcohol is present.

jack

moonmaid50, ASN, BSN, MSN · Jan 3, 2010

Thanks Jack,

In my monitoring program I've seen one positive for EtG and it was traced to hand sanitizer. I was fortunate to have a test 2 days before and 2 days after the individual tested positive so it was easier to read the lower levels as incidental. Most of us are not that fortunate. There are 2 routes of exposure to the ethyl alcohol, absorption through the skin and breathing the fumes. Your body metabolizes both and the metabolite is what is measured on a urine EtG. While most hospitals have conveniently placed hand sanitizers everywhere there is still a good alternative, soap & water.

jackstem · Jan 3, 2010

there is still a good alternative, soap & water.

Gee...what's that? :icon_roll

Jack