Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a crucial method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands serve as a long-term archive of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair's structure. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeline of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. Its collection is straightforward, it resists tampering, and it can be transported with ease.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) taken from close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the perfect quantity for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional assessments, or tests exceeding ten panels, a sample weight of 150mg is advised. It's advisable to measure the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other types such as facial and axillary.
Process Overview
The laboratory process of drug test analysis consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's system, ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entries not covered by an electronic custody chain.
Screening is a preliminary step for detecting substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive indication must be confirmed to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that test positive during Screening require further confirmation.
In cases where Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the primary sample for the Extraction process. During this stage, drugs are isolated from the hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug analysis one of the more challenging techniques.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples indicated as positive are thoroughly cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Little Falls, NY, hair follicle testing reliably surpasses traditional urine tests. The main reason being, hair tests offer exceptional detection accuracy with a broader detection window, unlike urine tests which could overlook past substance use. This superior reliability ensures a holistic view of an individual's drug history, significantly aiding in making informed decisions.
Hair follicle tests provide a distinctive advantage in Little Falls, NY, due to their extended detection window, revealing substance use up to 90 days prior. This comprehensive insight allows employers to thoroughly evaluate the drug history of applicants and employees, aiding in better-informed hiring decisions and ongoing workplace evaluations.
Little Falls, NY, residents benefit from hair follicle testing's resistance to tampering. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests mitigate the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results remain credible and beyond question. This reliability is paramount for industries requiring indisputable evidence of a drug-free workplace.
With an expansive network of testing sites nationwide and local options in Little Falls, NY, our services are both convenient and accessible. The ease of reaching testing centers ensures that individuals and companies can swiftly engage in necessary evaluations without delay, reinforcing our commitment to hassle-free, efficient testing solutions.
In Little Falls, NY, the process for undergoing hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Each step, from ordering to result retrieval, prioritizes user privacy and simplicity, ensuring participants can complete the drug testing process with minimal stress and maximum confidence in their data security.
Our competitive pricing in Little Falls, NY, combined with rapid result delivery, provides businesses of all sizes with superb value. The affordability of our hair follicle tests, alongside quick turnaround times, not only eases budget concerns but also delivers timely insights crucial for maintaining workplace safety.
The hair follicle drug tests conducted in Little Falls, NY, are known for their speed and precision. The advanced techniques used in these tests ensure highly accurate detection of any substance use, minimizing the chances of error. Not only do individuals receive results swiftly, but they also benefit from enhanced reliability and trustworthy diagnostics.
For employers in Little Falls, NY, implementing hair follicle testing strengthens adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This compliance reduces potential legal liabilities and fosters a safer working environment, offering peace of mind and affirming corporate responsibility towards maintaining a secure atmosphere for all employees.
