Clinical Information

Volatile substances in the blood include ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone. Methanol and isopropanol are highly toxic; toxicity results from ingestion (exogenous). Acetone is generally elevated in metabolic conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis (endogenous). It also is a metabolite of isopropanol.

Ethanol is one of the most widely abused legal substances in the United States. It is the active agent in beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, rum, and other liquors. Ethanol acts on cerebral function as a depressant similar to general anesthetics. This depression causes most of the typical symptoms such as impaired thought, clouded judgment, and changed behavior. As the level of alcohol increases, the degree of impairment progressively increases.

On average, the serum or plasma concentration of the alcohols is 1.2-fold higher than blood concentration. For example, the serum or plasma would contain approximately 0.10 g/dL of ethanol in a blood specimen that contains 0.08 g/dL ethanol. Due to potential variations in the serum to whole blood ratio, serum should not be used in a medico-legal context. However, in the context of medical/clinical assessment, serum or plasma may be submitted for analysis.