Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a comprehensive record by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can show a detection window of up to three months for substances like alcohol and other drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample sized at 1.5 inches containing about 200 strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil in thickness) near the scalp weighs approximately 100mg, which is the required amount for both initial tests and further verification. For EtG evaluations, additional tests, or screenings beyond 10 panels, it's advisable to use 150mg of the hair sample. It is recommended to measure this using a jeweler’s scale. In instances where scalp hair is unavailable, comparable body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair. Alternatively, body hair includes all other types like facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The core stages in laboratory processing for determining drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the primary setup of a sample within the laboratory’s framework. This process ensures the sample’s integrity through proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further necessary data input not available via an electronic chain of custody.
Screening acts as a preliminary analysis for drug traces. While a cost-effective solution to eliminate possible drug usage in most cases, only screened positives require further validation for legal acceptability. Samples deemed potentially positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation process.
In circumstances of potential positives in Screening, additional hair is drawn from the primary specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluids, underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
To verify any positive outcomes from Screening, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Before confirmation, all suspected positive samples go through washing depending on the necessity. The overarching process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is evaluated under the guidance of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair guidelines and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the testing process specifically evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle underneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Chandler Heights, AZ, hair testing excels by providing superior detection accuracy.
Hair follicle testing in Chandler Heights, AZ uncovers drug use over extended periods, up to 90 days. This provides employers with a detailed insight into an individual’s history.
Hair follicle tests in Chandler Heights, AZ substantially mitigate tampering risks, yielding trustworthy results.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to hair testing across Chandler Heights, AZ, and beyond.
In Chandler Heights, AZ, our process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, safeguarding privacy and ease.
Chandler Heights, AZ businesses benefit from affordable pricing and prompt results with our hair follicle testing.
In Chandler Heights, AZ, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests stand out. Known for high accuracy in identifying substance use, these tests deliver quick and reliable results.
Employers in Chandler Heights, AZ can ensure policy compliance and workplace safety with hair follicle testing.
