Gender:
Female
Location:
CHICAGO, IL
Member since:
07/17/2008
Favorite Driver:
Kyle Busch
Why I'm a race fan:
I was sick one day and I found watching cars going round and round relaxing.
Favorite Track:
Chicagoland Speedway
How I discovered Rowdy, and why I Listen:
Yahoo! Sports posted a link to Jeff Gordon Theater. I thought it was cute and got hooked on the humorous podcasts.
What car/truck I drive now:
Public Transportation all the way!
My dream car:
1974 Dodge Monaco
Hobbies:
Roleplaying Games, SciFi/Fantasy, Anime
Heroes:
Theodore Roosevelt
Number of hits:
2032
There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it. ~Larry Niven
Specific Gravity and You!
Here is a little physics lesson for everyone!
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a given solid or liquid substance to the density of water at a specific temperature and pressure. Basically it compares the density of object in relation to water. An object with a specific gravity number greater than one sinks in water; while anything with a number less than one floats.
Why this is a no no for drug testing.
Here's a big shock; some people try to cheat on drug tests!
For example, when people are required to give a urine sample for testing, some might attempt to flush the body of any drugs by drinking an excess of water or herbal teas. It can work for some drugs, but will also dilute the urine. Labs can detect attempts at urine dilution by running a specific gravity test. The specific gravity of urine is normally between 1.002 to 1.028. If the test comes back with a number less than that, it shows the possibility of tampering. Specific gravity drugs could be used mask attempts of dilution.
Fun Facts
Drugs that can increase specific gravity measurements include dextran and sucrose. Sucrose is also know as table sugar.
So the question becomes...if a driver is tested and found to have diluted urine, what should be done? Was the player taking active steps to mask some drug in his system, or was the driver just thirsty? Without other evidence, can diluted urine be used to disqualify a driver from competition? Should it be a basis for penalty?
- Clint
- 09:05:02 12-22-2008
Interesting blog. Thanks for enlightening us.
Clint, perhaps "failing" the specific gravity test simply generates a warning to the driver that puts them on some sort of daily or weekly testing until they pass?
- Keith
- 11:48:10 12-22-2008
