Rank: New forum user 
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I am very familiar with alcohol and drugs screening programmes from my time in the rail sector but I would like to understand how if at all if items such as solvents/glues/aerosols are tested for. I am unaware of any specific test used and would appreciate thoughts from others how this is addressed if at all.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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There are no specific legal limits as there are no repeatable tests for the intoxicants you list. They mainly fall under Psychoactive Substances Regulations which is now the default legislation for supply of substances likely to be misused as an intoxicant (unlike previous regulations the criteria is no longer age related but based upon assessement of the purchaser). Aerosols (16) and lighter refils (18) are still covered by their original age related legislation.
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Rank: Super forum user
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There are no specific legal limits as there are no repeatable tests for the intoxicants you list. They mainly fall under Psychoactive Substances Regulations which is now the default legislation for supply of substances likely to be misused as an intoxicant (unlike previous regulations the criteria is no longer age related but based upon assessement of the purchaser). Aerosols (16) and lighter refils (18) are still covered by their original age related legislation.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Why are you testing for such substances? It is not illegal to possess them or even to use them as they are not controlled drugs. It is illegal to sell them, if they are going to be used as a “legal high”. Each of these substances will act differently on individuals, some will have an immediate effect and others may last a long time. There will also be difference in how long they will be detectable in the body. I don't think that there are any standard tests for these substances. To test for some breath sample will be adequate, for others it might require a urine sample or even a blood sample. How will you obtain these? Finally there are no standard safe levels for these substances. If you detect a higher level of some solvent in a person, they might simply say I was laying down and gluing carpet tiles yesterday and this was this result.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The HSE laboratories are the primary source of information and guidance as they have specialists in biological monitoring, the technique that we use when considering use of chemicals that possess systemic toxic properties and which can be absorbed by any, or more than one, of the routes of exposure (ingestion, inhalation, skin). They actually provide a biological monitoring service that I have found extremely helpful. Also there are guidance values for some chemicals. Two points to keep in mind are; firstly it is the total dose that reaches the target organ that is important regardless of the route(s) of uptake and secondly how quickly this happens by each of the routes affects when and how a sample is taken and how the measurement is evaluated.
I have always found the biological monitoring section in Buxton extremely helpful.
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