Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is acknowledged as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair provides an extensive timeline of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can depict a detection window lasting up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, it's somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches that includes approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the area closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, considered the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair can't be collected, a similar volume of body hair is an alternative. References to head hair denote scalp hair specifically, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in the lab processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of the sample within the laboratory's framework. This step verifies the sample was correctly sealed and sent, involves assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entries not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances. Although Screening serves as an economical way to discount the use of drugs in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples that screen presumptive positive must undergo secondary verification.
In the case of a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage, where drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
For any positive screening result, Confirmation is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mentioned as "hair follicle tests", the test focuses on the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
In Bombay Beach, CA, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests in several ways.
Ultimately, hair follicle testing provides an advantage in accuracy and thoroughness, standing as the superior choice over urine testing.
Hair follicle testing in Bombay Beach, CA offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window. Unlike other testing methods, it can trace substance use over a 90-day period, offering a thorough history of an individual’s drug use.
Employers benefit from this extensive window, gaining a detailed insight into an applicant or employee’s past behavior. This comprehensive perspective assists in making informed staffing decisions, contributing to safer work environments.
In Bombay Beach, CA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing provides a robust safeguard against sample adulteration.
Such robustness in hair testing ensures that the results are both reliable and unquestionable, affirming the method’s trustworthiness.
Accessible and convenient, Accredited Drug Testing locations are available nationwide and locally in Bombay Beach, CA. With testing centers widely dispersed, we ensure easy access to our services, streamlining the testing process.
Locating a center nearby is hassle-free, making it straightforward for individuals and businesses to engage in our services without unnecessary travel, saving time and reducing inconvenience.
In Bombay Beach, CA, our hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering and executing tests require minimal steps, ensuring ease of use for all involved.
Confidentiality remains paramount throughout the process, providing assurance that sensitive information remains protected. This straightforward approach addresses privacy concerns and builds confidence in using our services.
Accredited Drug Testing in Bombay Beach, CA, offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. Our affordable pricing structures cater to companies of all sizes, delivering excellent value without compromising on quality.
Quick result delivery further enhances our service proposition, ensuring clients receive the accurate results they need promptly, fostering peace of mind and facilitating informed decisions.
In Bombay Beach, CA, hair follicle drug testing offers unmatched precision and speed in detection. Swift results provide immediate insights into substance use, enabling timely decision-making for individuals and organizations. This method ensures high accuracy, crucial for maintaining integrity in substance use assessments.
Dependable and quick, hair follicle tests are particularly effective in yielding accurate data. The rigorous analysis process involved in hair testing delivers consistent results, making it a reliable choice for accurate detection of substances. This efficiency enhances trust in the testing procedure’s capacity to meet high standards.
For employers in Bombay Beach, CA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies while reducing legal risks. Reliability of hair tests supports adherence to regulations and decreases potential liabilities employers may face.
Beyond compliance, using hair follicle tests fosters safe work environments by deterring substance abuse, directly contributing to overall business and employee wellbeing.
