Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair strands offer an extended history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the structure of the hair as it grows. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month history of alcohol and drug usage. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
Collecting a 1.5-inch long sample of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation procedures. For EtG, add-ons, and tests involving more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advisable. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable volume of body hair might be used. When we speak of head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other varieties (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning uses the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory system, ensuring the sample was correctly sealed, shipped, and assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), alongside finalizing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary fast verification for substances of abuse. While Screening is efficient for ruling out drug usage in most cases, any positive results must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
Upon a presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
The Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Presumptive positives undergo washing prior to necessary confirmation. Each step from Accessioning through to Confirmation is examined following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair protocol and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called “hair follicle tests,” the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
The benefits of hair follicle testing in Kenduskeag, ME, overshadow traditional urine tests. These tests demonstrate superior detection capabilities and reliability, capturing a broader spectrum of substance intake over time. Hair testing's wider detection window ensures more accurate insights into a person's drug history.
Extended Detection Window
In Kenduskeag, ME, hair follicle testing provides a longer detection period for drug use, extending up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a holistic overview of an individual’s drug usage, ensuring informed decisions. This expansive detection window is crucial in maintaining a drug-free environment.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
The reliability of hair follicle tests in Kenduskeag, ME, comes from their resistance to tampering. These tests reduce the risk of adulteration, providing trustworthy results that cannot be easily manipulated. This ensures that conclusions drawn from test results are genuine.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
The convenience of accessing hair follicle testing services is unmatched, with locations spread throughout Kenduskeag, ME, and nationwide. This ensures individuals and companies enjoy hassle-free and swift access to testing, simplifying the overall process significantly.
Simple, Confidential Process
In Kenduskeag, ME, hair follicle testing offers a straightforward and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, everything is designed to maintain privacy while ensuring user-friendliness and reliability, addressing any potential concerns about confidentiality and ease.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Hair follicle testing in Kenduskeag, ME, is both affordable and quick, catering to companies of varying sizes. Competitive pricing structures and rapid processing times offer outstanding value and peace of mind, aiding companies in maintaining budgets while obtaining necessary testing results.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Kenduskeag, ME, the superiority of hair follicle drug tests is evident in their speed and precision. These tests offer high accuracy in revealing substance use, giving individuals and organizations confidence in their reliability. The cutting-edge methodology minimizes errors, making these tests a favored choice.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Kenduskeag, ME, benefit from hair follicle tests through enhanced compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and improving safety, these tests offer employers peace of mind, ensuring the work environment remains secure and compliant with regulations.
