Often, employers require legitimate lab results for this kind of testing. Why test for nicotine anyway? Tobacco use is a leading cause of death in the US. Smokers are one of the highest users of health insurance benefits. Therefore, many employers now require their employees to abstain from using tobacco products while working for them. In order to enforce these rules, we now have nicotine testing.
How does nicotine testing work? Depending on the type of test used, we can test hair follicles, saliva, urine, and blood for levels of cotinine, which is a metabolite side effect of sorts of nicotine.
The amount of time nicotine stays in your body varies depending on amount of usage and the type of nicotine delivery system used. The average amount of time nicotine remains in your system is only about hours after use. As nicotine is absorbed into the body, it is broken down into cotinine. Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine that remains in your saliva, urine, blood and hair for a longer period of time. The metabolization process can be affected by a number of factors, including genetics, age, diet and medication regimens.
The period of time cotinine is detectable in your system also depends on the type of test being used. Nicotine detection in blood samples : Blood testing for nicotine is used to tell whether a person has recently used nicotine, and how much nicotine was consumed. A blood test can detect both nicotine and cotinine, making it the most accurate method of testing. Nicotine detection in urine samples : Urine tests are less invasive than blood tests and are cheap and easy to administer.
They are more commonly used to detect the presence of nicotine and cotinine for employment. Nicotine detection in saliva samples : Testing for nicotine usage through saliva is the most sensitive method for detecting cotinine.
It can also be used to measure the amount of nicotine usage. Nicotine detection in hair samples : Nicotine and cotinine testing using hair follicles is the most reliable method. It is also the most expensive, and is only used when other forms of testing are unsatisfactory. When performing a nicotine testing screen for a new job, employers may ask for a small sample of blood or hair to be sent to a lab for cotinine testing.
Both will show nicotine use, but hair testing is more of a concern. A hair test will show nicotine use over a day period. However, hair testing only produces a positive result if you have used nicotine on a regular basis. Where you live might determine whether your employer has the right to test you for nicotine and deny you a job if you test positive for the drug.
This resulted in new laws in 29 states plus the District of Columbia. Laws vary from state to state. In some states, no employer can deny someone a job based on nicotine use consistent with smoking cigarettes. However, some of the 29 states allow nonprofit groups and health care industry employers to refuse jobs to individuals who smoke. In the remaining 21 states, employers can deny you a job if you smoke cigarettes or if you test positive for nicotine use during a drug screen.
According to a story in "USA Today," an increasing number of employers have adopted smoke-free hiring practices and do not hire employees who smoke. This is partly because of the negative perception of smoking. The urine drug test is also most common with these employers, but some utilize blood tests for this purpose.
While blood tests are usually done to detect the same drugs as urine drug testing listed previously , the blood test can go back further and detect drug use over a longer period. Most prospective employers continue to utilize urine drug testing as it detects drug use and is less expensive than blood testing.
Employment drug testing should be efficient and confidential. At UrgentMED, our skilled and professional staff is compassionate, professional, and are not here to judge you.
We pride ourselves on our convenience, efficiency and cost. We maintain a clean, professional and friendly environment and can provide you with any type of drug testing in a kind and respectful atmosphere.
Our staff is familiar with pre-employment and workplace-related drug testing procedures and we can service your needs. In addition to our drug testing services, we offer a plethora of other diagnostic services , including lab work, imaging services, surgical and non-surgical procedures.
With 17 convenient walk-in urgent care clinics throughout southern California, we offer fast professional service without a long wait. We offer weekday, weeknight and weekend hours to service you on your terms, at your convenience.
Let us assist you with all your drug testing and other clinical needs. Stop by the location nearest to you today.
Search for:. Pre-Employment Drug Testing Drug testing for pre-employment screening purposes can be done using blood, urine, saliva, or even hair.
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