ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 6

The Effect of Skin Cleansing Agents on Ethanol Results Measured with the Du Pont Automatic Clinical Analyzer
Ryder, KW
Director of clinical chemistry and director of toxicology, Department of Pathology Wishard Memorial Hospital, IN

Glick, MR
Director of clinical chemistry and director of toxicology, Department of Pathology Wishard Memorial Hospital, IN

(Received 19 April 1985; accepted 15 June 1985)

Abstract

The effect of various prepackaged skin cleansers on the results of serum ethanol analyses performed with the Du Pont automatic clinical analyzer has not been previously reported. When added directly to serum in concentrations of either 0.625 or 1.56% (v/v), neither polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine nor benzalkonium chloride affected the ethanol results. The cross-reactivity of isopropanol with the automatic clinical analyzer ethanol procedure was 3.9%. The greatest interference in the measured ethanol concentration was from the addition of green soap tincture, which contained 30% ethanol. The effect of improper phlebotomy technique on ethanol measurements was also investigated by performing venipunctures through a pool of 100% ethanol on the skin. No ethanol was detected in these samples unless an ethanol-soaked sponge was pressed over the venipuncture site while the needle was withdrawn from the skin. When correct phlebotomy technique is used, skin cleansing agents should not affect the results of ethanol measurements determined with the Du Pont automatic clinical analyzer.

Keywords:
criminalistics, skin cleansers, alcohol, ethanol, phlebotomy, automatic clinical analyzer (ACA)

Paper ID: JFS12288J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12288J
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