EtG (EtG Test)
A urine test for ethyl glucuronide, a direct metabolite of alcohol, used to detect drinking within roughly the past 80 hours.
Key Facts
- Detects ethyl glucuronide, an alcohol metabolite, in urine for up to about 80 hours
- Known as the "80-hour test" — far longer than breath alcohol’s hours-long window
- Used for abstinence monitoring, return-to-duty agreements, and safety-sensitive programs
- Cannot show impairment — only that alcohol was consumed within the window
An EtG test detects ethyl glucuronide — a minor metabolite the body produces only after alcohol exposure — in urine for up to approximately 80 hours after drinking, with EtS (ethyl sulfate) often tested alongside to confirm. That long window makes EtG the standard tool for abstinence monitoring: return-to-duty agreements, professional licensing programs, and zero-tolerance policies. It is the wrong tool for impairment questions — a positive EtG says alcohol was consumed in the last few days, not that the person was under the influence at work; breath alcohol testing answers the impairment question. Programs also set cutoff levels (commonly 500 ng/mL) to reduce the chance of positives from incidental exposure such as hand sanitizer or mouthwash.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does alcohol show up on an EtG test?
- Up to roughly 80 hours after drinking, depending on how much was consumed and individual metabolism — light drinking may only be detectable for 24–48 hours, while heavy drinking can register near the full window. This is why EtG is called the "80-hour test" and is used for abstinence monitoring rather than impairment testing.
- Can hand sanitizer cause a positive EtG test?
- Heavy, repeated exposure to alcohol-based products (sanitizers, mouthwash, some medications) can produce low-level EtG. Programs manage this by using confirmation cutoffs — commonly 500 ng/mL — and by testing EtS alongside EtG, which is less susceptible to incidental exposure. Monitored individuals are typically advised to avoid alcohol-based products.
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