Where does ethanol gas go in an enclosed space?

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Ethanol vapor in an enclosed space, such as a classroom, can either remain suspended in the air or diffuse evenly throughout the room, similar to water vapor. The dispersion time for light fumes, including alcohol, is estimated to be around 5-10 minutes in a non-ventilated area. The scent of alcohol does not necessarily indicate inhalation of alcohol itself, as the scent can be carried by other compounds. Concerns about ethanol exposure relate to potential false positives in alcohol testing, particularly with sensitive tests like EtG. Overall, the behavior of ethanol vapor depends on various factors, including the concentration used and the specific conditions of the environment.
  • #31
Simon Bridge said:
It looks like the short answer is "it depends"... ie. nobody can know if the articular testing protocol followed by your workplace will have a chance of a job-threatening false positive from the hand sanitizer supplied. You need to know how the test is used.

The people to talk to would be the people doing/administering the test - you are concerned that routine hand sanitizer use could lead to a false positive in your required drug testing - can you get a clarification on this. You can also check with a union rep to see if there is a problem with this sort of thing.

There is a possible downside in which the possibility that some people, worried about a legit positive, may want to muddy the issue by using hand sanitizer - introducing a plausible deniability - and leading to people with a genuine concern about false positives getting tarred with the same brush.

Sometimes these tests are available commercially as a small kit - in which case you can do some experiments specific to your workplace, to see if your concerns can be supported by direct evidence.

You still need to know how the test is administered though. For instance, if the workplace has a zero tolerance policy, then the slightest trace may be bad, but if they just want to make sure that employees in your position are not alchoholics or routine drug users, then small traces are unlikely to be an issue ... a positive test may just result in an investigation, it's a matter of policy.

If this is a serious concern, especially if you are not the only one, then maybe there is a case for switching to an alchohol-free hand sanitizer?

How does this come up? Is this a new policy? How long has the hand sanitizer in question been used in the workplace while there has been this sort of testing going on? How long have you worked there? Etc.

But have you noticed how the responses are much better now that your actual concern has been voiced?
To answer your question, my brother who is a RN, explained that inhalation exposure to ethanol could cause a false positive for EtG/EtS. Until that point I had been advised to abstain from skin exposure to or ingestion of products containing ethyl alcohol. My concern stems from potential legal repercussions for failing a drug test.
 
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  • #32
Well that looks like a get out of jail free card for his employer. You are required to use a product that will pretty much guarantee failing the test. Something like 100% of your workforce will fail the drug test at any time. If you want someone gone for any reason just test them. Now you can fire them for fault.

BoB
 
  • #33
rbelli1 said:
Well that looks like a get out of jail free card for his employer. You are required to use a product that will pretty much guarantee failing the test. Something like 100% of your workforce will fail the drug test at any time. If you want someone gone for any reason just test them. Now you can fire them for fault.

BoB
Although I've never ran across an issue with regards to EtG, I have a lot riding on this and am extremely cautious when it comes to things like this.
 
  • #34
Is this 100ng limit a zero tolerance policy? As in you test over for any reason even once you are done?

BoB
 
  • #35
rbelli1 said:
Is this 100ng limit a zero tolerance policy? As in you test over for any reason even once you are done?

BoB
Yes.
 
  • #36
I would suggest you demand they stop using ethanol based sanitizers. There are non alcohol versions as well as isopropyl based ones. It seems cruel to expose you to something then require you be free of the substance they exposed you to.

Kind of like a bully punching you and demanding you stop hitting their hand with your face.

BoB
 
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  • #37
So has there been an issue with high numbers of coworkers being fired for failing this test in the past?
Have you brought up your concerns with your employer? Your union rep? Coworkers?
 

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