Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair retains the long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers up to around a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, moderately tough to tamper with, and simple to send.
A sample of 1.5 inches totaling roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Assessing the sample on a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If head hair is not available, the equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, it means scalp hair specifically. Body hair indicates all other hair sorts (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Summary
The four primary steps in lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial input of a sample into a lab system. This task involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-effective method to dismiss drug consumption in the bulk of samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening do necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample shows tentatively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is withdrawn from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at a concentration much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging procedure to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dryden, NY
The precision of hair testing ensures a dependable and comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use, outperforming urine tests substantially.
Extended Detection Window in Dryden, NY
The ability of hair tests to track long-term usage patterns is invaluable for creating a safe and compliant work environment.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dryden, NY
Employing a tamper-resistant testing method offers peace of mind, affirming the integrity of the screening process.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Dryden, NY
The convenience of widespread locations ensures individuals and organizations can conduct required tests without hassles.
Simple, Confidential Process in Dryden, NY
A transparent process with an emphasis on user privacy and ease makes this service favorable for all testing needs.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Dryden, NY
Offering excellent value ensures companies receive not only affordability but superior service and product delivery.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Dryden, NY
Hair testing meets the growing demand for efficient drug screening, combining fast result delivery with undeniable accuracy to ensure comprehensive substance detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dryden, NY
By implementing hair testing, employers can foster a law-abiding and risk-free workplace, providing assurance and peace of mind.