“To alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems,” is a toast from the leading thinker of our age—Homer Simpson, of course. While many of us do enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly, the consequences of overindulgence can indeed cause problems, not only for individual drinkers themselves, but for the rest of society as well.
When we suspect that alcohol has played a part in irresponsible, negligent, reckless, or dangerous situations, we have means of verifying its presence—methods that go beyond blowing into a gadget during a roadside sobriety test. Let’s explore the methods of detecting alcohol consumption and examine how effective they can be in identifying short-term or long-term abuse.
Breath Tests
The Breathalyzer, the most famous of the breath tests, is a fixture of late-night traffic stops, a mostly reliable detector for alcohol consumption. This and other breath analyzers feature an oxide detector that captures the presence of alcohol on one’s breath and reports the subject’s blood alcohol concentration—usually, anything over a .08 can get a driver in serious trouble. While this can prove useful, sugar alcohols in foods like breath mints or chewing gum can report a false positive, and breath analysis becomes unreliable after 12 hours.
Hair Tests
This may seem strange at first. What could a hair test tell anyone about your drinking habits other than that someone poured a beer on your head? In fact, a hair follicle test for alcohol doesn’t look for alcohol itself, but for metabolites of that alcohol—ethyl glucuronide, a byproduct of the processes that break down alcohol in the body. Hair absorbs EtG, where it stays for up to 90 days. This is a long-term test. You’re not likely to submit to a hair test after being pulled over for erratic driving, but courts may subject you to these tests if abstinence from alcohol is a condition of maintaining child custody, for instance.
Urinalysis
Urine testing is a less common method of detecting alcohol consumption, but one that courts may use if a hair test isn’t a viable option. With a lookback period of about three to five days, employers may subject employees to a urine test for alcohol in the wake of a workplace accident where they suspect the role of long-term alcohol abuse.
Nail Testing
Perhaps the most foolproof method at our disposal is that of testing the keratin in fingernails and toenails to detect the presence of EtG. Keratin, though a strong material, is porous, and will absorb the EtG we excrete through our sweat—even if we don’t think we’re exerting ourselves. Like a hair test, a nail test boasts a 90-day window for identifying alcohol consumption, but subjects have a much harder time trying to confound this test.
Winter storms are sweeping across the US, bringing snow emergencies in the Northeast and flooding in the Pacific Northwest. Stay safe with driving tips, shelter resources, and pet care guidance, plus direct links to emergency services.
Use official sources for live alerts and road conditions. Follow your local authorities' advice and guidance immediately by staying off roads or evacuating.
Current situation across the United States
Severe winter weather is affecting multiple regions across the country. In the Northeast, heavy snow and ice are creating hazardous travel conditions, while the Pacific Northwest is dealing with widespread flooding, evacuations, saturated ground, and powerful winds. Staying prepared, remaining aware of conditions, and knowing where to find shelter are essential for keeping both people and pets safe.
Winter loves to sneak up on us. One day you are enjoying a pumpkin spice latte in a light jacket, and the next you are chiseling ice off your windshield with a credit card because you lost your scraper. Snow looks beautiful in the movies, but it wreaks havoc on your daily commute.
You trip over a sneaker. You drop your keys in a puddle of melting snow. Your dog shakes mud onto your work pants. Welcome to the drop zone—that chaotic slice of floor right inside your front door.
Industrial tank liners are the primary defense system for your storage tanks, protecting the outer shell from corrosion while containing potentially hazardous materials. These critical components endure stress from chemical exposure, temperature fluctuations, and the sheer weight of stored liquids.
Indoor jungle gyms are vital parts of any community, giving families safe, dynamic places for children to play. For the owners of these facilities, maintaining steady streams of visitors is crucial for business health. A well-designed play structure is, of course, the main attraction, but special events can turn a quiet weekday into a bustling, profitable one. Implementing a few creative event ideas to draw crowds to your jungle gym can dramatically boost attendance and foster a loyal customer base.
