Can Secondhand Smoke Cause You to Fail a Drug Test? Myths vs. Facts

As a drug testing specialist, this is among the most frequently asked questions which I am asked to answer day in and day out. Individuals are always concerned with other people who smoke and whether they interfere with the results of their drug test.

This is something that can shock you: there are a lot of scary stories on the internet about people failing drug tests simply because they were in the room with someone who was smoking. However, I am here to present you with the facts, not with the horror stories!

The reality is much less exciting than you can imagine. Most of these concerns are fueled by outdated films and urban tales that have been circulated over the years. Enough of all this guesswork, let us get down to the nub. I will ensure that all this is explained in the simplest way possible, just as I would to my relatives or family members who also ask me the same questions.

Can You Even Fail a Drug Test through Second-hand Smoke?

Here is the straightforward answer: it is very unlikely, yet not impossible. As a testing professional, I have not observed many failures resulting from second-hand smoke in my experience as an examiner.

The quantity of drug in secondhand smoke tends to be very minute, to a level that we are unable to detect much. Therefore, how likely is it to take a positive test after being exposed to a smoker? It is very unlikely. The number of times in all the years I have been involved in testing that somebody may have come back with a positive test result because of second-hand smoke alone, I can count using one hand.

The figures are easy: 

• Ongoing contact (e.g. passing someone who smokes): Virtually no risk of testing positive.
• People who are in the same room together briefly: Still not very much of a chance.
• Severe conditions when overexposed in an enclosed deep room: Slim chance yet possible.
• Extreme exposure (hours in a closed car): Greater risk but not a certainty.

The most important point here is to remember that the drug tests are supposed to detect those people who use the drugs, rather than something that can be applied to those who were caught at the wrong place and at the wrong time. These false positives, resulting from casual exposure, are avoided by setting testing levels at specific thresholds.

Are there different Drug Tests (sensitive to second-hand smoke)?  

Great question! Yes, there are various tests which respond to second-hand smoke differently. 

• Urine Tests: That is the most popular test. They are quite good at distinguishing the difference between a druggie and a smoke-inhaler. The probability of failing a drug test due to second-hand cigarette smoke concern is the lowest when talking of urine tests, since they require higher concentrations to provide a positive result. 
• Saliva Tests: Here, examiners examine what goes on in your mouth and throat. Saliva tests may be slightly sensitive to exposure since second-hand smoke, albeit in small amounts, passes through your mouth. Even then, it would still be a great exposure to make it bad.

• Hair Tests: These tests have the least chance of complications caused by secondhand smoke. They seek out the drugs that have already been in your system for months. But second-hand smoke does not make its way into the follicles like real drugs do.
• Blood Tests: This test is highly accurate, and secondhand cigarette smoke can hardly interfere with it, as it checks for the presence of active drugs in your blood.

Do At-Home Tests Better Detect Second-hand Smoke?

This is tricky to some extent. Home tests are sometimes sensitive to detail than professional laboratory tests, but at times in ways you never would expect. False positives may occur more readily with some inexpensive at-home tests, as well as with secondhand smoke.. Laboratory tests from a reliable drug testing lab, such as Face DNA Testing, are commonly used in employment or legal settings and are generally more accurate and reliable. Their technology is more advanced, and the standards are also higher; therefore, they are not going to cause an issue due to second-hand smoke. If you are checking yourself out using an at-home test, you should not freak out when positive results are displayed. Have a professional conduct a test to determine the findings.

What are the Greatest Myths vs. Facts about second-hand smoke and Drug Tests?

I want to dispel the greatest legends people have always been telling me:

• Myth: You will fail the examination if you smell of smoke.
• Fact: Smelling like cigarettes has no point with what is in your system. The examination does not test smells!
• Myth: Sharing a room with a smoker is surely a guarantee to fail.
• Fact: It is almost never the case that casual exposure would result in positive tests.
• Myth: Second-hand smoke will remain in your system for a week or two.
• Fact: The residue of the harmful drugs in the secondhand smoke moves out of your system significantly quicker than in the case of using drugs.
• Myth: All the drug tests are the same and can be detected in the same way.
• Fact: Sensitivity levels and how a test is detected vary depending on the tests.
• Myth: You cannot do anything if you are exposed.
• It is a fact that this can be reduced by taking steps to ensure that.

What should I do if I am already exposed to the Smoke before the Test?

• Be honest. If you are concerned about exposure, you can opt out of the testing facility. Well, we have heard it time and again, and honesty is, by far, always the best policy.
• Write up the exposure. In the event of an extreme case where you succumbed to exposure, note the point in time, location, and duration. The information may become useful when some questions arise.
• Stay hydrated. When you consume water in normal quantities, it helps your body process things in a normal way. This is not to be overdone, though.
• Do not try to detox. The detox drinks and pills will help you to a large degree to detox, but the ones that cost a lot of money are primarily marketing strategies. Naturally, your body is already effective in processing smaller amounts of substances.
• Have a professional test. If you have a genuine issue, it is advisable to take a professional test before your formal one. This may offer you rest of mind.

There exist several types of professional tests which people commonly use.

5-panel tests screen for five popular drugs and are most used in employment settings.

There are more substances sought out by 10-panel tests, which are normally employed in more sensitive jobs.

The most widely used samples are urine, which is inexpensive and highly reliable.

Drug use that occurred way back can be discovered using hair samples.

The most accurate ones are blood samples, but they are expensive too.

The common aim of all these tests was to identify real drug users without necessarily getting false positive results due to such issues as secondhand smoke.

What Really Happens in Secondhand Exposure?

And this is what I have seen happen in my years of professional testing about the issue of secondhand smoke:

• Most individuals who are concerned about exposure to secondhand smoke become negative.
• Whenever I have observed less than satisfactory results, it is typically in extreme exposure cases, which only a small number of people ever experience.
• These types of problems have been looked to be avoided by the testing industry, whose tests have been perfected over decades. We want to get those who are engaging in drugs, not those who are caught there at the wrong place.

Conclusion

Can you pass a drug test after second-hand smoke? Science is in your favour, and even the tests are designed to be fair. Face DNA is prepared to help you in case you require professional and trustworthy drug testing services that you can depend on. We know how you care about the second-hand smoke and all other misgivings that surround drug testing. I will also treat you with great respect and answer any questions honestly, just as our team of professionals will do with you, as I did today. The goal is always to achieve fair results that everyone can trust.