Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bethel Park, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol use. Hair holds a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeframe of up to around three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10-panel tests, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, the same quantity of body hair may be used instead. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in handling a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primary step of inputting a sample into the laboratory system. This step involves ensuring the sample was securely sealed and sent, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finishing any further data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial swift review for drugs of misuse. It is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen needs court-confirmed validation. Any samples that are potentially positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. In this step, the extraction of drugs from hair occurs at a lower concentration compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Any positive screening outcomes are substantiated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potentially positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection duration.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It can demonstrate patterns of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks ability to detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are necessary for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bethel Park, PA

Comparing hair testing to traditional urine tests reveals key advantages. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing substance use history more thoroughly. Their extended detection window surpasses that of urine tests, ensuring a more comprehensive assessment, critical for employers and legal entities alike.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bethel Park, PA

Employers in Bethel Park benefit from the long detection period of hair follicle testing. With the ability to trace drug use up to 90 days, this method offers a broader understanding of an individual's substance history, aiding in informed employment decisions and enhancing workplace safety protocols.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bethel Park, PA

Hair follicle tests provide a robust defense against tampering. Compared to other methods, these tests significantly reduce the potential for sample adulteration, ensuring reliable and unquestionable outcomes. Such integrity makes them an ideal choice for stringent drug testing protocols in Bethel Park.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bethel Park, PA

Our extensive network of testing centers makes accessing services hassle-free for Bethel Park residents. With locations nationwide, individuals benefit from the quick and easy availability of testing, ensuring that drug testing needs are met without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bethel Park, PA

Our hair follicle testing process in Bethel Park is straightforward and discreet. From ordering to obtaining results, the entire procedure is designed to respect privacy concerns and ease of use, guaranteeing a confidential experience for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bethel Park, PA

We pride ourselves on competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Bethel Park. Our cost-effective solutions ensure excellent value, catering to companies of all sizes while maintaining high-quality service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bethel Park, PA

Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and speed in Bethel Park. With high accuracy, they are essential in identifying substance use effectively. These tests stand out for their quick turnaround times and reliable results, becoming an invaluable tool for employers who need to make informed decisions swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bethel Park, PA

Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers comply with drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. This testing method aligns with stringent protocols, providing employers in Bethel Park with peace of mind knowing their workforce meets compliance standards.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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