ToxLogic Pty Ltd is a workplace drug and alcohol collection and testing service accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).
The detection of drugs using oral fluid/saliva is a more recent development in the workplace drug testing field. The Australian Standard which covers testing using oral fluid drug testing was first released in 2006 (AS 4760-2006). This Standard was recently reviewed and the version now in use for NATA accreditation is AS/NZS 4760:2019.
Testing of an oral fluid specimen may be used to establish recent drug use. It is not appropriate to relate the presence of drugs in oral fluids to impairment, but rather, to recent use. When drugs are detected in oral fluid, it suggests the drugs were used within the last 36 – 48 hours (approximately).
The oral fluid sample can be collected either using an absorbent pad which the donor holds in their mouth for a few minutes, or by the donor delivering oral fluid into the collection vessel supplied by the collector. Approximately 1ml of oral fluid is required to guarantee adequate volume for testing.
When an oral fluid sample requires laboratory confirmation, ToxLogic sends the oral fluid sample to a laboratory accredited to AS 4760-2006. Confirmed laboratory results are usually available within 48 hours of the laboratory receiving the sample.
Limitations of the Oral Fluid testing devices
There are many Oral Fluid testing devices on the market.
ToxLogic regularly reviews available devices and liaises with manufacturers to research and trial new devices.