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1. Analytical approach - The AlphaTox
Method
Toxicology Associates, Inc. would like to
announce a more accurate, cost- effective method for drug testing. This moderate cost,
high quality method, called AlphaTox, was developed mainly because of its increased
accuracy and sensitivity. These qualities are not achievable using the Immunoassay method,
which is the initial drug screening method used by 98% of clinics, hospitals, and
laboratories. We are strongly confident that by using the AlphaTox method, we can deliver
results of the highest quality at all times.
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Highly
Accurate, Reliable, and Simple.
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Moderate
Cost with High Quality.
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Highly
Effective Against Adulterants.
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Less sample
volume requirements for analysis than Immunoassay method.
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Up to 10
times more sensitive than Immunoassay method.
How it Works -
AlphaTox
The AlphaTox method works by directly
extracting the drug from urine. Therefore, overcoming the presence of adulterants, as well
as other drugs which could potentially cause a false positive result. The more commonly
used toxicology method, Immunoassay, does not extract the drug from the urine, allowing
interaction with adulterants or other drugs which may cause incorrect test results.
Another problem with Immunoassay is that large quantities of the drug must be present in
the urine for the test to detect the drug. AlphaTox requires a much lower amount of the
drug for the drug to be detected.
In reference to table 1, the AlphaTox method indeed has a much higher sensitivity than the
Immunoassay. What does this mean? Take the limit of sensitivity of Cocaine, for example.
The Immunoassay limit of sensitivity is 300 ng/ml, whereas the AlphaTox limit of
sensitivity is at
50 ng/ml. To illustrate further, Lisa submits a urine for a pre-employment drug test that
will be performed at some drug testing laboratory in Idaho. This lab runs Lisa's drug test
for Cocaine using the Immunoassay. The result revealed a level of Cocaine of 299
ng/ml.
According to the limit of sensitivity of Immunoassay for Cocaine of 300 ng/ml, the result
of 299 ng/ml would be considered Non-detected. However, the result of 299 ng/ml of Cocaine
would be considered a positive result with the AlphaTox method. Is it safe to say that at
299 ng/ml using the Immunoassay method that Lisa is not using the drug Cocaine? Should she
be considered for employment? Yes, according to the Immunoassay method, but no, according
to AlphaTox method.
Again, we emphasize the critical importance of sensitivity of the method. It is the only
way to determine whether or not drugs are used or abused. Another important issue to
consider is that the Immunoassay method compensates. It is capable of delivering high
output at Low Cost and Low Quality. The AlphaTox method
on the other hand, is Moderate Cost and High Quality.
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Table 1. Immunoassay vs. AlphaTox - Cutoff Levels |
DRUG |
IMMUNOASSAY METHOD |
ALPHATOX METHOD |
| Amphetamines |
1000 ng/ml |
100 ng/ml |
| Barbiturates |
300 ng/ml |
100 ng/ml |
| Benzodiazepines |
300 ng/ml |
75 ng/ml |
| Cannabinoids |
50 ng/ml |
25 ng/ml |
| Cocaine |
300 ng/ml |
50 ng/ml |
| Methadone |
300 ng/ml |
75 ng/ml |
| Methaqualone |
300 ng/ml |
75 ng/ml |
| Opiates |
300 ng/ml |
75 ng/ml |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) |
25 ng/ml |
15 ng/ml |
| Propoxyphene |
300 ng/ml |
75 ng/ml |
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2. Random
or Unannounced Urine Drug Screen
To some degree, random drug screen is a good way to
overcome any detoxyfying substances, therefore keeping one honest. Unfortunately, there
are substances or adulterant that can be added immediately in urine. The adulterant
will maintain the integrity of the urine (i.e. temperature, color, etc.), therefore,
making it difficult to suspect an altered specimen.
NOTE: If you suspect that someone is engaging in the activity of doing
drugs, or a random testing is required of your employee(s), please have them take a drug
test within ONE HOUR accompanied in the bathroom with respect to gender. This
would prevent them from premeditating an activity to beat the drug test
system.
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