Stability of Ethanol in Blood and Urine Samples

Nevena Luković,Slavka Mandić-Radić,Gordana Džingalašević

doi:10.2478/v10011-007-0029-1

Abstract

Stability of Ethanol in Blood and Urine SamplesThe changes of ethanol concentrations in whole blood and urine samples were analyzed depending on temperatures and duration of storage. The aim of the study was to establish standards for the Institute laboratory. Samples of whole blood and urine, taken from drivers with excessive alcohol concentrations (6 groups, 15 samples per each), were analyzed upon delivery and then after storage during different time intervals and at different temperatures. The results showed that alcohol concentrations were significantly reduced with the increase of temperature and prolongation of storage. Only the whole blood samples stored for up to one month at -20 °C did not show significant changes. Room temperature storage of samples is the least suitable way of keeping them, independently of the duration of storage. Urines are not less reliable samples than blood. There are no ethanol differences between blood samples with and without sodium fluoride.

Highlights

Based on data from the relevant literature, about 90% of people occasionally consume alcohol in various forms, 40 –50% of people have occasional problems as a consequence of alcohol consumption, while 10% of men and 3% of women are addicted to alcohol
Summary: The changes of ethanol concentrations in whole blood and urine samples were analyzed depending on temperatures and duration of storage
The results showed that alcohol concentrations were significantly reduced with the increase of temperature and prolongation of storage

Summary

Introduction

Based on data from the relevant literature, about 90% of people occasionally consume alcohol (ethanol) in various forms, 40 –50% of people have occasional problems as a consequence of alcohol consumption, while 10% of men and 3% of women are addicted to alcohol. The results of such statistics are frequently occurring injuries in traffic accidents, at work, driving under the influence of alcohol, sometimes fatalities [1]. The most frequent samples used by biochemical laboratories to determine ethanol concentrations are the whole blood, serum and urine. Proper collection, handling and storage of the blood ethanol specimens are essential in medicolegal cases involving the question of sobriety

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