Cansford - first UK lab accredited for finger prick test for alcohol

Drug and alcohol testing specialist Cansford Laboratories has become the first laboratory in the UK to be accredited with ISO 17025 for a highly accurate finger prick test for alcohol use.

The pioneering Cardiff based company is also the first UK lab to be able to carry out the test analysis at its own UK site rather than outsourcing the process to labs overseas. This means Cansford Laboratories can provide clients with test results within just three working days.

Only recently launched in the UK market, the new finger prick PEth test measures Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a very specific alcohol biomarker that provides the highest sensitivity for the detection of regular alcohol consumption. Known simply as PEth testing, it offers a modern, sensitive alternative to traditional methods of blood testing for alcohol.

Most effective test for the accurate monitoring of alcohol consumption

PEth testing is particularly effective for detecting chronic and heavy drinking in critical settings such as the monitoring of doctors, child custody or drink driving violations. It enables the discrimination of heavy versus moderate or occasional drinkers, and can monitor abstinence within the past month. Age, gender, health or previous alcohol issues do not impact on the results.

Although PEth testing is already offered in the UK through vendors of drug and alcohol testing, analysis is carried out using US and European laboratories. This means a wait of up to 10 days for results.

Joint Founder and Scientific Director at Cansford, Lolita Tsanaclis comments, “By offering PEth testing at our Cardiff based laboratory we are able to significantly cut down the time people are waiting for results, from around 10 days to three from receipt in our laboratory. The ISO 17025 standard that our test processes meet is the most appropriate for UK drug and alcohol testing and gives clients the reassurance that our operations are properly regulated.”

Ease of collection

The PEth blood test is collected via a finger prick using a compact device, a convenient technique for collection, transport, and storage. This method allows for direct collection of capillary blood, which is relatively non-invasive and painless. Just a few drops of blood are required. The kit can be transported at room temperature and the blood will remain stable for a long period of time.

Alcohol testing a PEth test blood sample provides a view of the past month of consumption. For a longer period, a hair alcohol test can cover up to six months of consumption. Collection of both a hair and blood sample can complement each other to show comparisons or differences between recent and long-term alcohol use.