Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a lasting record of alcohol and drug usage by sequestering biomarkers within the strands. When gathered close to the scalp, hair offers up to a three-month detection period for substances. Collection is straightforward, adulteration is challenging, and shipping is convenient.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches long with around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a number two pencil) cut near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for testing. For EtG, additional components, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. A jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is lacking, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Note: head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Procedural Summary
The laboratory processing of hair drug tests involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step that integrates a sample into the lab’s framework. It ensures the sample's seal integrity and proper shipment, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides a preliminary inspection for substances often misused. This cost-effective step helps to exclude negative samples, yet any detected positives must undergo confirmation to be court-admissible. Presumed positives from Screening require further confirmation.
For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drug components are extracted from hair at lower concentrations relative to other methods (e.g., urine or oral swabs), making hair testing more complex.
Confirmation of positive screens is conducted using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumed positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. Each phase of the laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of Hair Drug Testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle tests to urine analysis in North Sea, NY reveals clear benefits. Detection accuracy and reliability are markedly superior with hair testing. While urine tests are traditional, hair testing surpasses them by providing a more comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing provides a significant advantage in North Sea, NY. This method can track substance use for up to 90 days, allowing employers a broader overview of potential or current employees' drug histories, far surpassing the limits of urine tests.
In North Sea, NY, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests offers peace of mind. The likelihood of sample adulteration is minimized, making it a trustworthy method that delivers unquestionable results.
Accredited Drug Testing provides the convenience of both nationwide and local testing centers, including locations in North Sea, NY. This ensures quick, effortless, and hassle-free access for all clients seeking reliable testing services.
The process for hair follicle testing in North Sea, NY is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, clients can be assured of their privacy and the ease of use, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in North Sea, NY, our hair follicle testing services ensure great value for organizations of all sizes, delivering efficient solutions without compromising on quality.
In North Sea, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer precision and speed. This testing method excels in its high accuracy rate when identifying drug use, ensuring that results are both fast and reliable. Such attributes make it an invaluable tool for those seeking dependable screening methods.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in North Sea, NY helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks while promoting a safe work environment, enhancing overall workplace security and peace of mind for employers.
