Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now viewed as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By encasing biomarkers within the strands, hair offers an extended history of substance use. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol traces for up to roughly three months. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch collection of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for evaluations. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale for specimen measurement is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" signifies solely scalp strands, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The drug testing lab involves four key procedures: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial sample entry into a lab's system, verifying its seal and shipping, assigning a random LAN, and completing any non-electronic chain of custody data entry.
Screening performs a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs, being cost-efficient yet requiring confirmation to legalize positive outcomes. Samples testing positive in Screening must undergo further verification.
Presumptive positive samples undergo additional hair extraction from the original specimen during Extraction. This phase retrieves drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Technique confirmation for positive results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positives are pre-washed during confirmation. The full laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While sometimes called "hair follicle tests," the analysis evaluates the strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine assessments in Chesterfield, VA, the former stand out due to their superior accuracy. Hair tests offer a more reliable method, capturing drug use over a more extended timeframe and providing employers a clearer picture with fewer opportunities for evasive tactics or false readings.
Hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive detection window of up to 90 days in Chesterfield, VA. This extensive timeframe allows employers to gain a profound understanding of a candidate or employee's substance use history, ensuring a thorough assessment that urine tests cannot match, given their shorter detection span.
Chesterfield, VA sees the significant advantage of hair follicle tests in their tamper-resistant nature. The method considerably reduces the risk of sample adulteration, delivering results that stakeholders can trust. This reliability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of drug testing processes.
With a vast array of testing centers nationwide, including Chesterfield, VA, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience. Our locations facilitate hassle-free access to testing services, ensuring that individuals and employers receive prompt and efficient testing without logistical challenges.
The process of undergoing hair follicle testing in Chesterfield, VA is both simple and confidential. From ordering and taking the test to receiving results, the approach prioritizes privacy and ease-of-use, addressing concerns and facilitating an unobtrusive testing experience for all participants.
Accredited Drug Testing in Chesterfield, VA emphasizes affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures cater to businesses of all sizes, delivering valuable and timely results that reinforce the cost-effectiveness and reliability of hair follicle testing.
In Chesterfield, VA, hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their speed and accuracy. These tests swiftly and precisely identify drug use, providing reliable results that empower employers to make informed decisions without delay. The efficacy of hair tests in detecting substances is unparalleled, fostering trust in the findings presented.
For employers in Chesterfield, VA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks, boosting workplace safety, and providing peace of mind. Employers can trust that their work environment aligns with safety and regulatory standards.
