By now most people have heard of Synthetic Cannabinoids, i.e. K-2, Spice, etc. The newest craze is Bath Salts – watch Dr. Oz report on this.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/deadly-new-drug-pt-1
Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
Bath Salts? It’s really a drug and it’s legal!
Published July 20, 2011 Cannabinoids , drug testing , Drug-Free Work Week , Human Resources , Incense , Ivory Wave , JWH-018 , K2 , methamphetamine , Spice , student drug testing , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology , Uncategorized Leave a CommentExperTox wishes all the best July 4th weekend be concerned about “drugged driving” http://ow.ly/5uUBc
ExperTox Opens New Lab
Published June 7, 2011 drug testing , Human Resources , Incense , Ivory Wave , JWH-018 , K2 , Meconium drug testing , Occupational Exposure Testing , Occupational health , Occupational medicine , Poisoning , Prescription Drugs , Safety , Spice , student drug testing , teen drug use , Tests and Services , toxicology , Toxins , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Have you ever wondered how a true forensic lab runs? If you are in the Houston area, we would like to invite you to visit us at our Open House on June 16, 2011. See more information at the link below.
Our state of the art laboratory was designed by President Loretta Anderson and RGR Partnership, LTD and constructed by Tribble and Associates Contractors. The new lab space has over 3100 square feet with the option to utilize an additional 5000 square feet of off-site storage as needed.
The lab was designed with optimal work flow, employee convenience and with environmental sensitivity in mind. There are separate departments for accessioning, specimen preparation, screening, EIA, ELISA, Heavy Metals ICP-MS, GC/MC, LC/MS, extraction hoods and analyzing (test data). In addition, there is a dedicated department for Certifying Scientist for reporting results.
Another Dangerous Way for Your Teen to Get High
Published June 1, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentThallium Poisoning, Something to Worry About in 2011?
Published May 31, 2011 Uncategorized 1 CommentYou may have heard recently about the Chemist in New Jersey who is being tried for her husbands’ murder. While most scientist believe her accused method of poisoning, Thallium, to be old fashioned, there are still reports of its use in poisoning today. While this chemical is no longer used in over the counter pesticides it is found in cigarettes.
What are the signs of Thallium poisoning?
In the first 48 hours after serious thallium exposure, the affected individual will usually experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Within a few days, symptoms of nervous system damage become apparent. These symptoms can include pain, loss of reflexes, convulsions, muscle wasting, headaches, numbness, dementia, psychosis, and even coma. After two to three weeks, characteristic changes are seen in the bases of hair shafts, and there is hair loss (alopecia). Finally, after around three weeks post-exposure, heart rhythm disturbances may occur.
Thallium poisoning can be treated. Effective treatment to prevent absorption of thallium is available if therapy is begun within six hours following ingestion. The antidote against thallium (known as potassium ferrihexacyanoferrate, or Prussian blue or Berlin blue) works by sequestering thallium molecules and preventing their absorption by the intestine. Other treatments that may be successful for victims of thallium poisoning include dialysis and medications to increase the kidneys’ excretion of thallium.
What is Thallium?
Thallium is a soft, malleable gray metal that was previously widely used in rat poisons and insecticides. Thallium itself and compounds containing the element are highly toxic. It is particularly dangerous because compounds containing thallium are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Because of this high toxicity, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends against the use of thallium in rodent and insect poisons. However, poisons containing thallium are still in use in some parts of the world.
Small amounts of thallium are normally found in the earth’s crust and atmosphere. It is also present in small amounts in cigarette smoke. Thallium has multiple industrial uses, and certain isotopes of thallium are used in medical imaging studies. Thallium can be absorbed from the skin as well as be ingested or inhaled. If a significant amount (significant poisoning is usually defined as ingesting over 1 gram of thallium, or over 8 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) of thallium enters the body, symptoms of thallium poisoning develop.
As even Wikipedia points out, thallium was “once an effective murder weapon”, but the emphasis is one “once”. That time is long past. Forensically, it’s not the first thing that you think of, certainly, but it got picked up at autopsy in this New Jersey case. And it’s not like there’s any other way a person could get a high level of the element in their tissues, nor, with modern analytical techniques, can it be mistaken for anything else. Honestly, anyone who believes that they have a good chance of getting away with a thallium murder is just not thinking the whole business through.
ExperTox® is the expert in identifying questionable substances – call us for details.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=79810
http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/2011/02/09/thallium_poisoning_in_this_day_and_age.php
We’ve opened a New Lab!
Published May 13, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: drug testing, drug testing facility texas, expertox
Expertox has moved into a new building located at 1430 Center Street in Deer Park, TX 77536.
Our state of the art laboratory was designed by President Loretta Anderson and RGR Partnership, LTD. It was constructed by Tribble and Associates Contractors. The new lab space has over 3100 square feet with the option to utilize an additional 5000 square feet of off-site storage as needed.
The lab was designed with optimal workflow, employee convenience and with environmental sensitivity in mind. There are separate departments for accessioning specimen preparation, screening, EIA, ELISA, Heavy Metals ICP-MS, GC/MC, LC/MS, extraction hoods and analyzing (test data). In addition, there is a dedicated department for Certifying Scientists for reporting results.
During this time we are also upgrading our Laboratory Information System software and database. You will continue to notice changes in reporting and the website as we continue upgrading our system.
Keep on the lookout for an invitation to the Laboratory Open House in June!
K2, synthetic marijuana banned in state of Texas
Published May 6, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a Commenthttp://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/state&id=8084608
K2, Synthetic Marijuana has been banned in the state of Texas. Click here the link for more info.
How long after last use are drugs detectable?
The answer depends on which drug; type of specimen; each person’s own metabolism; drug concentration and/or dosage; how often the drug was used; and the sensitivity of the testing procedure.
| Oral Fluid: | Very recent use up to 2 days, depending on the drug |
| Blood: | Most drugs are non-detectable after five to 48 hours, depending on the drug. A good rule of thumb is only use blood for drug testing if the person is impaired at the time of collection. |
| Urine: | May allow detection for several days, sometimes even more than a week. However, urine analysis does not generally permit any toxicological evaluation of drug impairment, merely drug use. |
| Hair: | Drugs stay in the hair, so detection is dependent on the length submitted for testing. A standard hair drug test is 1 ½”, or 90 days |
| Nails: | This includes Nail Clippings (from the tips of the nails) and Nail Shavings/Scrapings (from the surface of the nail). Nail clippings yield an approximate thirty (30) day timeframe, six (6) months prior to collection. Nail clippings and shavings yield up to a six (6) month timeframe |
Poison Prevention for your Household
Published April 5, 2011 Poisoning , Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: drug testing, expertox, food poisoning, poison testing
On behalf of last week’s Poison Prevention Week, we have the Top 5 Tips to help keep you and your children safe from all poisons in your home.
According to the New York State Department of Health, people should keep all poisons, including medications, cosmetics, household cleaners and chemicals, plants and other poisonous substances out of the reach of children.
- Child Proofing/Education – Always keep medication in its original container, away from children. Remember to secure all lids after use. Never tell your children that medicine is candy. Educate your children on the dangers of misusing medication. Make sure to read labels carefully before giving medicine to your children or other family members.
- Dispose of Medication Properly – while you may have heard that the best solution to dispose of expired or unwanted medication is to flush it or pour it down the drain, that is not safe. Instead, crush the pills and mix them with old coffee grounds, sand or kitty litter.
- Storage Solutions – We recommend that you do not store medication in the bathroom or kitchen. The bathroom is warm and moist and can cause changes or disintegration of the product. Poisonous or toxic products should be kept in a locked cabinet.
- Do Your Research – You should be aware of household plants that are dangerous to pets, but there are also plants that are poisonous to humans. Do your research on plants in your house and keep them out of the reach of children.
- Garage Poisons – Anti-freeze, windshield washing fluid and other similar products should be stored in a locked cabinet. Childproof safety latches can be purchased at your local hardware store.
An unknown poison and toxin analysis tests for unknown chemicals, poisons and toxins that include but are not limited to pesticides, organic exposure chemicals, painting or cleaning products, rodent poison, volatiles and inhalants. This analysis does not test for drugs or heavy metals. No two situations are alike, so contact ExperTox for assistance if you suspect poisoning or toxic exposure.
Corporate Office and Laboratory
1803 Center Street, Suite A
Deer Park, Texas 77536 map
Phone: 281-476-4600
Fax: 281-930-8856
General Test Inquiries: info@expertox.com
Customer Service: customerservice@expertox.com
Account Billing: officemanager@expertox.com
Sales and Public Relations: mbarefoot@expertox.com
Bath Salts Blamed for Deaths
Published March 22, 2011 drug testing , Ivory Wave , Uncategorized Leave a CommentTags: bath salts, drug test, drug testing, expertox, Spice
March 21, 2011: In the last six months, a rash of crimes and deaths have swept across the Southern states as the result of a street drug called bath salts. Joel Eisenbaum reports. Click here for the video and the full article.
http://www.click2houston.com/video/27271268/index.html
