Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an influential technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term analysis of alcohol and drug levels by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When taken from the scalp, hair can show drug and alcohol use for up to three months. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp weighs about 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh this on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Scalp hair refers only to hair from the head, while body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage that involves integrating a sample into a lab’s system, ensuring it was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and doing any extra data entry that may not have been done through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening conducts an initial check for drug use. Though it’s a cost-effective method to rule out drug use, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal validity. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening require additional confirmation.
If a sample shows positive in Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly complex.
Confirmation of positive screened results is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests," this procedure actually analyzes the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the skin
In Arlington, WA, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities. While traditional urine tests can detect drug use in the short term, hair follicle tests provide both accuracy and reliability in identifying substances over extended periods.
With a detection window that extends up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Arlington, WA, offers a thorough examination of an individual's substance use history. This extensive period allows employers a deeper insight into an applicant's or employee's past behavior.
The tamper-resistant methodology of hair follicle testing in Arlington, WA, significantly minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration. This leads to receiving trustworthy and indisputable results, elevating the credibility of the test outcomes.
Offering convenience across Arlington, WA, and beyond, our nationwide testing centers allow for seamless access to necessary testing services. This widespread network ensures a quick and easy process for individuals seeking reliable drug testing solutions.
In Arlington, WA, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every stage respects privacy while ensuring ease and understanding for users.
With competitive pricing and speedy turnaround times, our services in Arlington, WA, offer exceptional value to businesses of varied sizes. Trust in our cost-efficient hair follicle testing solutions to provide quick and dependable results.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Arlington, WA, make them a superior choice for detecting substance use. Boasting high accuracy, these tests provide reliable results rapidly, ensuring the identification of drug usage with confidence.
In Arlington, WA, opting for hair follicle testing enables employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This choice mitigates legal risks and fosters a safe work environment, providing peace of mind to both employers and employees alike.
