Alcohols (Volatiles, Solvents)

Definition

Alcohols are organic compounds that contain the ¢ OH group, including methanol (CH3OH), ethanol (ethyl alcohol; C2H5OH), isopropanol (rubbing alcohol), and methanol (wood alcohol). Although acetone (CH3COCH3) is a ketone, not an alcohol, it is included in this group, because it is often detected in the same testing methodology.
Normal range:
- Ethanol: <10 mg/dL.
  - 50 mg/dL: decreased inhibition, slight incoordination
  - 100 mg/dL: slow reaction time; altered sensory ability
  - 150 mg/dL: altered thought processes; personality, behavior changes
  - 200 mg/dL: staggering gait, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion
  - 300 mg/dL: slurred speech, sensory loss, visual disturbance
  - 400 mg/dL: hypothermia, hypoglycemia, poor muscle control, seizures
  - 700 mg/dL: unconsciousness, decreased reflexes, respiratory failure (may also occur at lower concentrations)
- Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol): <10 mg/dL (normal); toxic effects generally seen at 50 " 100 mg/dL.
- Methanol: <10 mg/dL (normal); levels >25 mg/dL are generally considered toxic.
- Acetone: <10 mg/dL; effects are said to be similar to ethanol for similar blood levels, but the anesthetic potency is greater.

Immunoassay testing for ethanol may have cross-reactivity <1% with isopropanol alcohol, methanol, ethylene glycol, and acetaldehyde; <15% with n-propanol.
Elevated concentrations of acetone are detected in specimens during diabetic ketoacidosis and fasting ketoacidosis and may range from 10 to 70 mg/dL.
In many headspace gas chromatographic methods, acetonitrile coelutes with acetone, leading to a false-positive result. Acetonitrile may be a component in cosmetic nail remover.
A positive urine ethanol due to the presence of yeast in the patients urine has been described. In these cases, glucose was also present in the urine.