Adulteration And Alcohol Color Chart (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

AdulterAtion test strips

indicates the possibility of adulteration. However, false

positives may result when ketone bodies are present in the

Adulteration results are obtained by direct comparison of

urine. Ketone bodies may appear in urine when a person

the reacted strips with the color blocks on the enclosed

is in ketoacidosis due to starvation or other metabolic

cards. Adulterated urine will show result colors similiar to

abnormalities.

those in the “Abnormal” columns of the color chart enclosed.

pH: Normal pH ranges from 4.5 to 8.0. Values below pH 4.0

Unadulterated samples will show strip colors similar to those

or above pH 9.0 are indicative of adulteration.

in the “Normal” column of the color chart enclosed.

Specific Gravity: Random urine may vary in specific

Creatinine: Daily creatinine excretion, related to muscle

gravity from 1.003 – 1.030. Normal adults with normal

mass of the human body, is usually constant. A urine

diets and normal fluid intake will have an average urine

specimen with creatinine levels of less than 5 mg/dL is

specific gravity of 1.016 – 1.022. Elevated urine specific

an indication of substitution. Although these ranges are

gravity values may be obtained in the presence of moderate

affected by age, sex, diet, muscle mass and local population

quantities of protein. A urine specimen with a specific gravity

distribution, samples with creatinine level of lower than

level of less that 1.003 can be an indication of substitution.

20mg/dL should be considered diluted.

Specific gravity and creatinine values should be considered

Nitrite: Although nitrite is not a normal component of urine,

together to provide a better picture of whether the sample

nitrite levels of up to 3.6 mg/dL may be found in some

is substituted.

urine specimens due to urinary tract infections, bacterial

Oxidants: The presence of oxidizing reagents in the urine

contamination or improper storage. Adulteration nitrite levels

is indicative of adulteration since oxidizing reagents are not

above 15 mg/dL are considered abnormal.

normal constituents of urine. Oxidizing reagents include

Glutaraldehyde: Glutaraldehyde is not a normal compon-

hydrogen peroxide, ferricyanide, persulfate, and pyridinium

ent of human urine and it should not be present in normal

chlorochromate.

urine. The presence of glutaraldehyde in the urine sample

Adulteration And Alcohol Color Chart Page 2