Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term profile of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing fiber. When taken close to the scalp, it can offer approximately a three-month detection timeframe for substances. The hair is straightforward to collect, not easily tampered with, and convenient for shipping.
An optimal test sample requires a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly comparable to a #2 pencil), providing 100mg of hair. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, the same quantity of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only, whereas body hair includes all other types (like facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The lab processing of drug tests is divided into four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, a sample first undergoes integration into the lab's system. This process checks whether the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any extra data entry requirements not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial assessment for identifying drugs of abuse. It is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug usage in most samples, yet a screening positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples during Screening require further verification.
Should a sample be presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmatory testing for positive screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo pre-confirmation washing if needed. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", these actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Hermosa Beach, CA proves superior in many aspects. Its exceptional detection accuracy and reliability cover up to 90 days of an individual's substance history. While urine tests can reflect recent drug use, hair testing provides an extended timeline and is resistant to manipulation, offering an added layer of precision and dependability.
Hair follicle testing in Hermosa Beach, CA stands out due to its extended detection window, covering approximately 90 days. This method provides employers with a thorough overview of an individual's long-term substance habits. This extensive timeline aids in understanding an employee or candidate's past drug use patterns, offering a more comprehensive view compared to shorter-term detection methods.
In Hermosa Beach, CA, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant solution that significantly curtails the risk of sample adulteration. This robust testing method assures secure and reliable outcomes, preventing any attempts to compromise test accuracy. Ensuring consistent and dependable results means you can trust the integrity of the hair testing process to provide unquestionable data.
We feature numerous testing centers in Hermosa Beach, CA and across the nation, ensuring convenient access to our services. This nationwide network means you can effortlessly locate a testing site nearby, simplifying the logistics for substance screening. The broad reach of our network guarantees swift and stress-free testing for all.
The hair follicle testing process in Hermosa Beach, CA is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering a test, sample collection, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring user privacy and ease. The seamless process addresses privacy concerns and offers users an uncomplicated and straightforward testing procedure, maintaining confidentiality throughout.
Our services in Hermosa Beach, CA boast affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, providing value without compromising on quality. Competitive pricing structures ensure testing is accessible for organizations of any size. The fast processing of results reinforces a cost-effective approach, delivering both quality and efficiency for comprehensive drug testing needs.
Hair follicle drug tests in Hermosa Beach, CA, offer fast and accurate results, ensuring precision in substance use detection. These tests provide exceptional accuracy and reliability, making them an ideal choice for anyone seeking trustworthy drug screening solutions. The methodologies employed ensure results are swift and reliable, providing peace of mind through their heightened precision in capturing substance use.
Employers in Hermosa Beach, CA achieve compliance and peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. Adhering to workplace drug-free policies is straightforward with this method, reducing potential legal risks and fostering a safer working environment. Hair testing’s comprehensive detection scope supports a transparent and drug-free organizational culture.
