Monday, October 15, 2007

Drug testing

The most precise procedure for detection of banned substances is a combination of GC and MS. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is a two-step process, where GC separates the sample into its constituent parts, while MS provides the exact molecular identification of the compounds. The GC/MS is typically used to confirm "positive" EMIT test results. GC/MSwill indicate precisely what chemical is present. This is necessarybecause the EMIT will only indicate whether something similar to what'sbeing tested was found. The GC/MS is difficult and more costly, which iswhy the EMIT is given first. (Hewlett Packard produces the GC/MS equipment,including computer, for about $50-75k depending on options.) Abstinenceand substitution are the only ways to defeat the GC/MS test. GC/MS is veryprecise when done right. However, it's still subject to human error. Forexample, if the equipment isn't cleaned well, the previous test samplecould get mixed with the next sample. According to Dr. Edward Cone, theGC/MS is 99 percent accurate;
www.passyourdrugtest1.com

No comments: