Definition - What does Drug Testing Cut-Off Levels mean?
Drug testing cutoff levels refer to an established benchmark for measuring the concentration grade of drug metabolites existing in a breath, urine, or oral fluid specimen following prescribed threshold ranges corresponding to different class/subclasses of drugs. The initial drug screen serves as a blanket assessment to clear negative results compared with donor specimens exceeding at or above the cutoff limit where confirmatory testing levels the difference.
SureHire explains Drug Testing Cut-Off Levels
Drug testing cutoff levels play off the selected drug panels requested by employers, which generally conform to the Canadian Model for Providing a Safe Workplace aligned with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) concentration limits. The general matrix surrounding drug testing cutoff levels relies on setting a precedent for meeting overall safety standards, avoiding false positives (i.e. secondhand exposure), and equitable protocol for all donors to honor pending employment opportunities. The Canadian Model, alongside U.S. DOT regulations, categorically lists drug testing cutoff levels that can include but are not limited to the following classes/subclasses of drugs: amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP).
