Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying substance use. Hair fibers encapsulate biomarkers, offering a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug consumption. When obtained from near the scalp, hair samples can reveal substance use for up to around 90 days. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial and confirmatory tests. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" specifies scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing process in laboratories involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step of entering a specimen into a laboratory's tracking system. It verifies proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information not captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is the initial rapid assessment for the presence of illicit drugs. Although cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most specimens, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for legal proceedings. Presumptively positive cases in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.
If a sample checks presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial batch is subjected to Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of conducting hair drug testing.
The Confirmation phase employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS for validating positive Screening findings. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary. Each procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is constantly reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Plumville, PA
In Plumville, PA, hair follicle tests are superior to traditional urine tests for several reasons. They offer accurate detection over a longer period compared to urine tests. This method ensures reliable results, often revealing substance use undetected by other testing methods.
Extended Detection Window in Plumville, PA
Offering a detection period of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests provide a broad view of an individual’s drug history. This extended window in Plumville, PA, allows employers to gain significant insights into a subject's substance patterns, providing greater assurance for workplace safety.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Plumville, PA
Hair follicle drug tests in Plumville, PA diminish the risks of sample tampering. Its collection process ensures that results are both reliable and genuine, giving users the confidence that the data is trustworthy and significant for assessing substance use.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Plumville, PA
Our expansive network of testing centers provides easy access to drug testing services in Plumville, PA and nationwide. This guarantees that testing is not only accessible but also convenient, with local facilities ensuring quick and efficient service.
Simple, Confidential Process in Plumville, PA
In Plumville, PA, our streamlined process for ordering and completing hair follicle tests is both simple and confidential. Aimed at protecting individual privacy, the process ensures that results are easy to acquire without compromising on confidentiality.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Plumville, PA
Offering competitive pricing, our hair follicle tests in Plumville, PA deliver excellent value. Coupled with fast turnaround times, they provide businesses with efficient service, guaranteeing quick results and enhanced value for varying organizational needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Plumville, PA
Hair follicle testing stands out for its precision. The speed with which it delivers results is matched by high accuracy, making it a top choice for detecting substance use. In Plumville, PA, individuals and organizations can depend on this method to ensure rapid detection alongside consistent reliability.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Plumville, PA
Employers seeking to uphold drug-free work environments in Plumville, PA find that hair follicle testing provides compliance benefits. It mitigates legal concerns and enhances safety, delivering peace of mind through reliable substance monitoring practices.
