I have posted a number of previous notes about the drug testing industry. I have also written about urine cleansing agents that are sold by web sites and claimed be effective in beating drug tests. I have posted these notes in the interest of informing lab professionals about this undercurrent of the industry although I must candidly admit that not all visitors to the blog appear to work in labs.
There are various means that lab personnel have devised to counter the methods used by subjects to beat the system, including surveillance when urine samples are obtained, measuring the urine for analytes that may not be present in some of the "synthetic urine" samples for sale on the web, and measuring the temperature of the sample. A room temperature sample should raise suspicion.
To familiarize myself with the line of products for spoofing urine drug testing. I turned to a web site specializing in these items (see: Affordable Urine Samples). The following advice is provided on the home page of this site with boldface emphasis mine:
All of our donors' urine undergoes regular laboratory testing so you can be confident that these specimens have already passed a drug test before they are even shipped. Our liquid and powdered urine are certified to be free of illicit drugs, steroids, alcohol, thc [canabis] and tobacco (nicotine) as well as pre-screened for potential medical conditions. You may purchase one or several of our clean urine samples and synthetic urine substitutes which can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. Using the kits is easy and fast, just run the sample under hot water to heat to body temperature.
Interesting. I had never considered the possibility that prospective employers would check a urine sample obtained for drug testing for evidence of, say, a chronic disease like diabetes. I am not sure if this is legal but the suspicion that it is occurring may help to sell the products.
Now, as to the matter of specimen collection, the company also sells urine test transport kits [plastic bottle with an end-tube and cap] and provides the following details about these kits:
- Anti-reflux valve ensures proper flow and easy fill-up
- COMPLETELY SILENT quick release twist valve ensures easy dispensing
- 2 Straps for effortless attachment of the container to the inner thigh or lower calf
- Reusable self adhesive thermometer strip enables 'at a glance' temperature monitoring
- Two 10 hour chemical heat pads maintain proper acceptance temperature
- Latex gloves
I do like the idea of having latex gloves provided in the kit which shows a certain respect for the aesthetics of the process. This whole deal strikes me as being very complicated and it may be easier not to use the drugs in the first place.
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