Can You Fail a Nicotine Test from Secondhand Smoke?

False Positive Testing

Exposure to second-hand smoke is usually not enough to trigger a false-positive result, but being exposed to frequent or very high levels of second-hand smoke may cause someone to test positive for nicotine use. Such results are likely very rare, however.

Can you fail a cotinine test from secondhand smoke?

If you use nicotine replacement medicine, such as gum or a patch, the cotinine test will not give an accurate result. Breathing in secondhand smoke can also affect the result. If you haven't smoked or been exposed to nicotine in 7 to 10 days, your cotinine levels start to return to a normal level.

Can Second Hand nicotine show up in a blood test?

In general, nicotine can only be detected in the body for a short time, with half of nicotine eliminated in around two hours after a person's last exposure. Cotinine levels remain elevated for longer, detectable in urine and blood samples for up to 7 days.