Hair ethyl glucuronide concentrations in teetotalers: should we re-evaluate the lower cut-off?

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a minor phase II metabolite that is formed in the body after the consumption of alcohol. In urine, oral fluid and blood, it is used as a direct and sensitive marker for the assessment of alcohol consumption [4]. In keratin matrices such as hair, EtG incorporates and accumulates, and can be used to quantify retrospective alcohol use from months to years prior to sampling depending on the available hair length [5]. The Society of Hair Testing (SoHT; www.soht.org) provides two cut-offs values that are widely accepted for the interpretation of hair EtG (hEtG) concentrations.

Source: Forensic Science International - November 13, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Cleo L Crunelle, Michel Yegles, Mireille De Doncker, Delphine Cappelle, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L.N. van Nuijs, Hugo Neels Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research