Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within the growing strand's fibers, offering a long-term record of substance ingestion. When hair is cut close to the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use within approximately a 3-month timeframe. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion consisting of around 200 hairs (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) located nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When indicating head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is an initial, swift assessment for illicit substances. Although a cost-effective measure to exclude drug presence in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in alternate methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.
Positive results from screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positives are suitably cleansed before confirmation. The entire laboratory pipeline, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The commonly termed "hair follicle tests" actually evaluate the hair shaft rather than the scalp's follicle.
When it comes to choosing between hair follicle and urine testing in Elco, IL, the former offers superior detection capabilities. Hair testing presents a longer window for detection, spanning up to 90 days, and is less susceptible to evasion attempts, unlike urine testing. Hence, it ensures higher accuracy and reliability.
In Elco, IL, one of the primary advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, which offers insights into drug use over the past 90 days. Such a comprehensive timeframe affords employers a clear view into an individual’s substance history, which can be essential for making informed hiring decisions.
The method of hair follicle testing in Elco, IL significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering. This approach provides reliable data that is difficult to adulterate, ensuring results that are trustworthy and stand up to scrutiny, unlike other testing methods more vulnerable to interference.
Serving Elco, IL, and beyond, our hair follicle testing centers are conveniently located nationwide. This network guarantees easy access to testing services that are both quick and hassle-free, ensuring no matter where you are, a reliable testing location is nearby.
In Elco, IL, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. This seamless setup for ordering, taking, and obtaining results prioritizes user privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns for those undergoing testing.
Offering testing services in Elco, IL, we provide affordable pricing combined with fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures ensure excellent value, catering to businesses of varying scales while maintaining peace of mind with our reliable services.
Hair follicle drug testing in Elco, IL stands out for its accuracy and speed. This method consistently delivers precise results, efficiently detecting substance use. For those seeking reliable outcomes, hair testing ensures a high degree of certainty that is difficult to match with traditional methods.
Employers in Elco, IL can rely on hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method helps mitigate legal risks while promoting a safer work environment. By choosing this method, businesses gain both peace of mind and operational security.
