Drug testing is an essential tool for maintaining workplace safety, legal compliance, and fair testing procedures. However, some individuals attempt to tamper with drug test results using adulterants, substances that interfere with the accuracy of the test.
Adulteration can invalidate results, compromise workplace policies, and pose serious safety risks, particularly in industries where sobriety is critical, such as transport, construction, and law enforcement. To combat this, modern drug test kits are equipped with adulterant detection features to identify manipulated samples.
This guide explores what adulterants are, the common substances used, and how drug test kits detect tampering to ensure accurate and reliable results.
LEARN MORE: How does a urine drug test kit work?
What are adulterants in drug test kits?
Adulterants are substances or methods used to alter a drug test sample, with the intention of producing a false-negative or inconclusive result. These substances can be introduced directly into the sample or consumed beforehand to interfere with drug detection.
Adulterants are particularly relevant in urine drug test kits, as samples can be diluted, substituted, or chemically altered. To counteract this, drug test kits now incorporate adulterant detection to identify suspicious samples.
Common adulterants used in drug tests
Drug test adulteration methods range from household chemicals to commercial products designed specifically to cheat tests. Below are the most common adulterants and how they are detected:
- Oxidants (OX) – Chemicals such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide are used to break down drug metabolites in urine samples. Oxidant detection strips can identify these substances in tampered samples.
- Specific Gravity (S.G.) – This measures the density of urine. A reading outside the normal range can indicate dilution or substitution.
- pH – Normal urine has a balanced pH level. Extreme acidity or alkalinity suggests an attempt to alter test results using substances like vinegar or baking soda.
- Nitrite (NIT) – A common ingredient in commercial adulterants that interferes with drug metabolite detection.
- Glutaraldehyde (GLUT) – A chemical sometimes found in products marketed as "urine cleansers" that disrupt drug test immunoassays.
- Creatinine (CRE) – A naturally occurring compound in urine. Low levels indicate excessive water intake or intentional dilution.
- Temperature – While not an adulterant itself, temperature is a key indicator of sample validity. Fresh urine should be between 32-38°C (90-100°F). A sample outside this range suggests substitution with synthetic or pre-collected urine.
How drug test kits detect adulterants
Modern drug testing kits, including those from Andatech, utilise adulterant test strips to detect tampered samples and ensure sample validity. These multi-parameter strips check for a range of substances that may indicate sample adulteration.
By integrating adulterant test strips, Andatech’s drug test kits enhance drug testing reliability by preventing sample manipulation, reducing false negatives, and maintaining legally defensible results.
LEARN MORE: What do urine drug test kits detect?
Best practices to prevent adulteration in workplace drug testing
To ensure accurate and tamper-proof drug testing, workplaces should implement the following best practices:
- Use adulterant detection kits alongside standard drug test kits.
- Supervise sample collection to minimise opportunities for tampering.
- Follow strict chain of custody protocols to maintain sample integrity.
- Educate employees on the risks and consequences of drug test tampering.
- Work with accredited drug testing providers for laboratory confirmatory testing when required.
WORKPLACE DRUG TESTING LAWS: What employers need to know
Ensuring tamper-proof drug testing
Adulterants in drug testing pose a significant challenge to maintaining workplace safety and compliance. By understanding how adulteration works and using drug test kits equipped with adulterant detection, organisations can ensure reliable and tamper-proof testing.
📌 Ensure accurate drug testing with Andatech’s Australian Standards-certified drug test kits. Detect and prevent adulteration with reliable, compliant testing solutions!
