Effect of using alcoholic and non‐alcoholic skin cleansing swabs when sampling blood for alcohol estimation using gas chromatography

SummaryA study was carried out using 20 volunteers in whom venepuncture through the skin soaked in either ethyl or isopropyl alcohol was performed. A non‐alcoholic cetrimide/chlorhexidine swab was used as a control. All subjects were initially alcohol free.Ethyl alcohol was detected in only one blood sample and the level was found to be only 0.4 mg% (roughly the limit of detection of the assay). A slightly higher level of isopropyl alcohol (3 mg%) was found in one of the blood samples.Alcohol estimation was carried out by headspace gas chromatography using a pair of instruments each fitted with a column exhibiting different retention characteristics. The system was similar to that used by other UK Forensic Science Laboratories where accurate, definitive results are a necessity.It was concluded that under very testing conditions only minute ethanol interference is produced by using alcohol‐based skin cleansing swabs. This minimal interference is unlikely to affect clinical sample results, and even in a forensic situation the inadvertent use of alcohol‐based swabs is unlikely to lead to a miscarriage of justice.

Effect of using alcoholic and non‐alcoholic skin cleansing swabs when sampling blood for alcohol estimation using gas chromatography Journal Articles