Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical profile of alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. If collected near the scalp, it can yield a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analysis, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. When citing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug use. Though a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Samples appearing positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent validation.
When a sample yields a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluids, which makes hair drug screening uniquely challenging.
Any positive screening results must be confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab process — from Accessioning to Confirmation — is assessed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," this examination assesses the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Landover, MD
Urine tests, although useful for recent use detection, lack the robust detection and reliability that hair analyses bring.
Extended Detection Window in Landover, MD
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Landover, MD
The reliability of such tests is pivotal for maintaining the integrity of drug-testing efforts.
Nationwide and Local Testing Centers in Landover, MD
Our strategic positioning of centers ensures hassle-free testing experiences for all clients.
Simple, Confidential Process in Landover, MD
Ease of use ensures that even first-time users can participate without stress or complication.
Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround in Landover, MD
This affordability and efficiency are key to supporting a risk-averse and informed organizational culture.
Fast, Precise, and Trustworthy Results in Landover, MD
Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Landover, MD
Reduced legal risks and enhanced workplace safety come as key benefits.
