PrintView

Reference Notes and Guidelines

The nicotine metabolites (principally cotinine) test is intended as an aid in differentiating between smokers and nonsmokers, and for the management of detoxification of smokers. Studies have shown that individuals smoking 5 cigarettes a day have urine concentrations > 500 ng/mL using this test. An average smoker (10 - 30 cigarettes/day) may have urine values from 2,000-15,000 ng/mL. Cut off value for screening urine nicotine is 200 ng/mL. Non smokers typically have values < 100 ng/mL, however, some nonsmokers have been found to have levels up to 500 ng/mL probably as a result of exposure to environmental factors.