Toxic Alcohols & Ethylene Glycol

Testing site      

Alaska State Public Health Laboratory – Anchorage 

Anchorage Lab Request Form 

Diseases 

Toxic alcohol poisoning 

Agents

• acetone 
• isopropanol (2-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol) 
• methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) 
• ethanol (ethyl alcohol) 
• ethylene glycol (1,2-ethane diol, antifreeze) 

Test Method 

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) 

• This is a two-step panel 
• Simple alcohols are completed first, followed by a separate glycol analysis 
• All compounds are tested during initial case evaluation 
• If follow-up testing is requested, only compounds previously reported as positive are tested. 

Availability

Test is performed to support hospital emergency department determinations of Toxic Alcohol/Ethylene Glycol exposure.  This test is not for routine evaluation of ethanol or acetone. 

Contact the Emergency Chemistry Lab Team 7 days a week between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM for testing. 

Specimen type 

Whole Blood 

Specimen collection instructions 

• Preferred Volume: 4 mL Whole Blood 
• Minimum volume: 2 mL Whole Blood 
• Preferred Tube: One 4 mL Gray top w/anticoagulant (Potassium Oxalate/Sodium Fluoride or Na2EDTA/Sodium Fluoride) 
• Alternate Tube: Lavender (K2EDTA) 
• Serum Separator Tubes are not acceptable 

Storage and transport  

• Store refrigerated 
• Ship with cool packs if transport will take longer than 12 hours to be received by the laboratory.  Otherwise, ship at ambient temperature  

Ship to: Anchorage Public Health Laboratory, ATTN: Chemistry 

Results  

Analytes are reported individually and include: 

• Acetone         
• Ethanol         
• Ethylene Glycol     
• Isopropanol         
• Methanol  

If positive    

• A quantitative concentration will be reported.    
• Critical values are provided with report.   
• Results are called in and faxed.   
• The Alaska Poison Control Center is notified of positive results and can provide follow-up toxicology assistance. 

A normal result is not detected.  

Interpretation and Reference Ranges 

Compound: Acetone 

• Toxic concentration is >20 mg/dL 

Compound: Ethanol 

• Toxic concentration is >80 mg/dL 
• Lethel concentration is >350 mg/dL 

Compound: Ethylene Glycol 

• Toxic concentration is >20 mg/dL 
• Lethel concentration is 200-400 mg/dL 

Compound: Isopropanol 

• Toxic concentration is 40 mg/dL 
• Lethel concentration is >150 mg/dL 

Compound: Methanol 

• Toxic concentration is 20 mg/dL 
• Lethel concentration is >89 mg/dL 

Turnaround time  

2-3 hours from receipt of the sample  

Resources