Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly valued as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed timeline of drug and alcohol usage by embedding biomarkers within the shaft of the growing hair. By collecting hair samples near the scalp, it's possible to observe a detection period for alcohol and drugs that extends up to about 3 months. This method is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
When gathering a sample, a section of approximately 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp supplies 100mg, which is optimal for analysis and verification. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10, a sample size of 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes other types like facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The drug testing procedure in the laboratory comprises four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary stage of processing a sample into the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample’s packaging and shipping integrity, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a rapid initial assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening provides an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, positive findings need confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing potential positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmatory test.
For samples with potential positive results in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening a complex process to conduct.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potential positive samples are cleansed before confirmation where needed. Across the whole laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, the procedures are scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Brownsville, CA: Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. Its reliability and ability to catch drug usage over long periods make it the right choice for effective monitoring.
Extended Detection Window in Brownsville, CA: Hair follicle testing stands out with its ability to review drug usage over an extended window, up to 90 days. This gives a comprehensive insight into substance history, benefiting employers seeking thorough assessments.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Brownsville, CA: Hair follicle tests significantly curtail sample adulteration risks, offering credibility and unquestionable reliability. Their rigorous integrity affirms accurate test outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Brownsville, CA: Our extensive network of nationwide sites offers convenience with prompt and hassle-free access, ensuring testing services are readily available at any time and any place.
Simple, Confidential Process in Brownsville, CA: We ensure a straightforward and confidential process from test orders to results delivery, addressing privacy concerns while maintaining the utmost ease of use for every client.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Brownsville, CA: With competitive pricing and swift processing times, our services provide exceptional value and prompt results, addressing company needs across all sizes efficiently and economically.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Brownsville, CA: The hair follicle drug tests offered here are precise and efficient. By pinpointing substance use with high accuracy, they ensure reliable results and rapid turnaround times, making them an optimal choice for your testing needs.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Brownsville, CA: Implementing hair follicle tests ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal exposures and fostering a safer work environment. Employers can rest assured of compliance and safety.
