Ask X3What does 49 CFR 40.91 (What are the cutoff concentrations for oral fluid drug tests?) require?
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As a motor-carrier owner, you must follow the requirements in 49 CFR 40.91, which specifies that laboratories must use exact cutoff concentrations for both initial and confirmatory oral fluid drug tests. All cutoff concentrations are measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
Here are the required cutoff concentrations for each drug:
* Marijuana (THC): Initial test cutoff is 4 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 2 ng/mL.
* Cocaine / Benzoylecgonine: Initial test cutoff is 15 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 8 ng/mL for Cocaine and 8 ng/mL for Benzoylecgonine.
* Codeine / Morphine: Initial test cutoff is 30 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 15 ng/mL for Codeine and 15 ng/mL for Morphine.
* Hydrocodone / Hydromorphone: Initial test cutoff is 30 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 15 ng/mL for Hydrocodone and 15 ng/mL for Hydromorphone.
* Oxycodone / Oxymorphone: Initial test cutoff is 30 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 15 ng/mL for Oxycodone and 15 ng/mL for Oxymorphone.
* 6-Acetylmorphine: Initial test cutoff is 4 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 2 ng/mL.
* Phencyclidine: Initial test cutoff is 10 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 10 ng/mL.
* Amphetamine / Methamphetamine: Initial test cutoff is 50 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 25 ng/mL for Amphetamine and 25 ng/mL for Methamphetamine.
* MDMA / MDA: Initial test cutoff is 50 ng/mL; Confirmatory test cutoff is 25 ng/mL for MDMA and 25 ng/mL for MDA.
Additionally, 49 CFR 40.91 outlines specific technical rules for laboratories regarding grouped analytes:
* For immunoassay tests involving grouped analytes (drugs in the same class with the same initial cutoff): The test must be calibrated with a target analyte from the group, and the immunoassay's cross-reactivity to other analytes in the group must be 80 percent or greater (otherwise, separate immunoassays must be used). Immunoassays must be calibrated with the target analyte.
* For alternate technology initial tests: Either one analyte or all analytes from the group are used for calibration depending on the technology. At least one analyte must be at or above the initial cutoff, or the sum of the concentrations of the analytes present must equal or exceed the initial cutoff. For THC and 6-AM specifically, alternate technology initial tests that are specific for the target analyte must use the confirmatory test cutoff (2 ng/mL for THC, 2 ng/mL for 6-AM).