Implementation Guidelines - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

Initial Confirmation
Type of Drug or Test Test
Metabolite Cutoff
Levels
Cutoff Levels
(1) Marijuana Metabolites
(i) Delta-9-
50
tetrahydrocanna-binal-9carboxylic
acid (THC)
15
(2) Cocaine Metabolites
(Benzoylecgonine)
300 150
(3) Phencyclidine (PCP) 25 25
(4) Amphetamines 1000
(i) Amphetamine 500
(ii) Methamphetamine 500 a
(5) Opiate Metabolites 2000
(i) Codeine 2000
(ii) Morphine
2000
(iii) 6acetylmorphine
10 b
(6 AM)
Opiate levels above 15,000 ng/mL will be
automatically reported because the
responsibilities of the MRO and employee
change with opiate levels this high. In this
case the burden of proof shifts to the
employee to provide a verifiable medical
explanation for such high levels.
Split Specimen Testing. The primary
laboratory must provide secure storage for
the split sample for 1 year if the primary
specimen is positive, adulterated, or
substituted. If directed by the MRO, the
primary laboratory shall forward the split
specimen bottle, with seal intact, a copy of
the MRO request, and a copy of the custody
and control form to a different DHHSapproved
laboratory. If the split specimen is
unavailable for testing, the lab must provide
as much information as possible to the MRO
regarding the cause of the unavailability.
In the case of a positive test result, the
second lab must test the specimen for the
presence of the drug(s)or drug metabolite
a Specimen must also contain amphetamine at a
concentration of greater than or equal to 200 ng/mL.
b Test for 6-AM in the specimen. Conduct this test
only when specimen contains morphine at a
concentration greater than or equal to 2000 ng/mL.
independent of the cutoff levels. If the
presence of the substance(s) is found, the
primary test will be confirmed positive. If
the test fails to reconfirm the presence of the
drug/metabolites that were reported positive
by the primary lab, the second lab must
conduct validity testing on the split to
determine if the specimen was adulterated or
substituted. If the split does not reconfirm
the presence of the drug/metabolite and
there is no evidence of adulteration or
substitution, the result will be reported to the
MRO, the test will be cancelled, and the
failure to reconfirm will be reported to the
DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and
Compliance (ODAPC).
Where a primary test result shows the
specimen was adulterated or substituted, the
second lab must test the split specimen in
the same manner as the primary to
determine if the specimen was adulterated or
substituted. If the adulteration or
substitution is found, the primary test result
will be confirmed. If not, the result will be
reported to the MRO, the test cancelled, and
the failure to reconfirm will be reported to
the ODAPC.
If the split is unavailable for testing and,
therefore, cannot be used to reconfirm the
primary test result, the primary test will be
cancelled and the MRO will direct the
employer to have the employee retested
under direct observation. Split specimen
test results can only be reported to the MRO.
Specimen Storage and Record
Keeping. All confirmed non-negative
specimens must be retained by the
laboratory in long-term frozen storage for a
minimum of 1 year. The laboratory must
provide semi-annual summation reports
consistent with 49 CFR Part 40, Appendix B
reporting requirements to each covered
employer for whom they conduct testing.
The summaries must be sent by January 20
Chapter 7. Drug Testing Procedures 7-16 August 2002