Glutaraldehyde

WHAT IS ADULTERATION?
Adulteration is the tampering of a urine specimen with the intention of altering the test results. The use of adulterants can cause false negative results in Drug Tests (Strip/Card/Device/Cup) by either interfering with the screening test and/or destroying the drugs present in the urine. Dilution may also be employed in an attempt to produce false negative drug test results. One of the best ways to test for adulteration or dilution is to determine certain urinary characteristics such as pH, specific gravity and creatinine and to detect the presence of oxidants/PCC, nitrites or glutaraldehyde in urine.

Glutaraldehyde tests for the presence of an aldehyde. Adulterants such as UrinAid and Clear Choice contain glutaraldehyde which may cause false negative results by disrupting the enzyme used in some immunoassay tests. Glutaraldehyde is not normally found in urine; therefore, detection of glutaraldehyde in a urine specimen is generally an indicator of adulteration.