Why Use Adulteration in Drug Testing:

The goal of adding adulterants to the 12 Panel Urine Adulteration Test is to verify that the urine is of sufficient quality to practice a drug testing (in the case of clear urine, for example)and to verify that the urine has not suffered unusual changes or adulteration designed to falsify urine samples for drug testing.

Adulteration is defined as purposefully tampering a specimen with the intent of altering the test results that are feared will be positive. Adulterants may cause “false negative” results by either interfering with the test and/or destroying the drug metabolites in the specimen.

In urine tests, the most common type of drug test method, dilution may be used to produce false negative drug test results. To help rule out deliberate adulteration, it is best to use drug tests which include adulterants.

Parameters on Adulteration:

• Specific Gravity – Tests for sample dilution. Normal levels for specific gravity will range from 1.003 to 1.030. Specific gravity levels of less than 1.003 or higher than 1.030 may be an indication of adulteration or specimen dilution.
• pH – Tests for the presence of acidic or alkaline adulterants in urine. Normal pH levels should be in the range of 4.0 to 9.0. Values below pH 4.0 or above 9.0 may indicate the sample has been altered.
• Oxidants/PCC – Tests for the presence of oxidizing agents such as bleach and peroxide in the urine. Oxidizing agents such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide and pyridinium chlorochromate are commonly used adulterants. Normal human urine should not contain oxidants or PCC.