Ethyl glucuronide (or "EtG") is a metabolite only produced when alcohol is in the bloodstream. It is identified as a marker in alcohol hair testing, through a patented analytical process that provides forensic evidence of the pattern of alcohol abuse - or absence of it. The more alcohol a person consumes the greater amount of EtG markers are present in the hair. EtG alcohol testing is unique compared to other alcohol tests in that it allows you to segment testing results into months providing a historical pattern.

Trimega Laboratories identifies both EtG and fatty acid ethyl ethers (or "FAEE") markers in hair alcohol testing. FAEEs appear in blood within 12 to 18 hours of alcohol being consumed and FAEE levels in hair can distinguish between light and heavy drinkers, but only EtG alcohol testing can prove month-to-month activity. FAEEs stored in hair only show alcohol dependency.

EtG lasts for up to five days in urine, and confirms beyond all doubt that someone has had a drink in that time. The presence of EtG in EtG alcohol testing through hair alcohol testing now shows whether drivers or workers who have been involved in an accident last week, were drunk at the time, even if they are not tested until a month later.

The UK courts recognise the presence of alcohol traces in human hair as reputable evidence in court. Trimega Laboratories have provided thousands of tests to the UK courts using its ISO9001 quality processes in accordance with UKAS standards.

Features of EtG alcohol testing

• Segmentation of hair samples to determine patterns of abuse.
• Identify the amounts of alcohol an individual has consumed over a particular period.
• Identify long-term alcohol users, offer help and improve treatment success rate - treatment can then be monitored periodically as their hair grows.
• Prove a parent is fit to have custody of their children because they show no signs of abuse.
• Identify an alcohol abuser in a safety critical job before you hire them.
• Prove someone does not have an alcohol problem and is fit to lead for a position in public office, for example.
• Prove someone is long-term abstinent and a suitable candidate for a liver transplant.