How Do Interfering Substances Affect Toxicological Tests?
Interfering substances can impact toxicological tests in several ways:
Cross-reactivity: Some substances may mimic the chemical structure of the target analyte, leading to cross-reactivity in immunoassays. Matrix effects: The presence of complex biological matrices, such as blood or urine, can affect the interaction of the analyte with the assay reagents. Instrumental interference: Substances may affect the performance of analytical instruments, leading to skewed results.