Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. It offers an extended history by embedding biomarkers within the fiber structure of growing hair strands. When secured adjacent to the scalp, hair can reveal substances like alcohol and drugs over a period of up to roughly three months. Hair is easy to gather, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A specimen of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (approximating a #2 pencil's thickness) from the scalp’s vicinity, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, additional analyses, or those exceeding 10 panels, it’s advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. Should scalp hair not be accessible, a comparable volume of body hair can be substituted. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair covers all other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The four primary phases in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a sample into the laboratory’s framework, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary evaluation for illicit drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient technique to identify drug consumption across the majority of samples, a positive screening must be validated for legal acceptability. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample return a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the more challenging techniques to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a pre-confirmation wash if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Charlevoix, MI is a topic of significant interest. The advantages of hair testing over conventional urine tests are robust. Hair follicle tests offer superior accuracy and dependability.
Extended Detection Window in Charlevoix, MI significantly sets hair follicle testing apart. By detecting drug use over a longer period, up to 90 days, this method gives employers a comprehensive view of substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Charlevoix, MI reinforces the reliability of hair follicle tests. These tests substantially mitigate the risk of sample tampering, ensuring results remain unquestionable.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Charlevoix, MI are designed to offer ease of access to testing services. Our network ensures quick, simple, and hassle-free testing experiences.
Simple, Confidential Process in Charlevoix, MI reassures clients about privacy concerns and ease of use. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is straightforward and confidential.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Charlevoix, MI show our commitment to offering excellent value. Competitive pricing and quick result delivery meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are what make hair follicle drug tests a preferred choice in Charlevoix, MI. These tests are renowned for their precise and speedy detection capabilities. Whether testing for drugs or alcohol, the accuracy remains unwavering, making it a trusted process.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Charlevoix, MI can be achieved with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free policies, reducing potential legal risks and boosting workplace safety.
