DETECTION OF NICOTINE AND ITS METABOLITES IN URINE

A simple strip test has been developed for the detection of nicotine a nd its metabolites in urine, The NicCheck(R) I test yields a pink colo r on the test strip within 30 minutes, providing a semi-quantitative m easure of tobacco consumption, When tested on urine from smokers and n onsmokers, the test was determined to have an overall sensitivity and specificity of 99% when compared to an EIA for cotinine determination, The test detects both nicotine and cotinine, as well as a number of o ther nicotine metabolites, thus providing a more complete indication o f overall tobacco consumption, Based on its simplicity, accuracy, and ease of use, the test could conceivably have several applications.