Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is considered an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can chronicle a prolonged history of such substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When retrieved near the scalp, hair offers up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and related substances. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, the perfect amount for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be taken. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a specimen into a lab's framework. This procedure verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, attributes a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a preliminary fast assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. All samples that are initially positive during Screening require an additional confirmation.
Should a sample be positive in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at deeper concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the toughest methods to implement.
Confirmation of each positive Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing holds several advantages over traditional urine testing in Fruitdale, CA. The primary benefit is the extended detection window, offering accuracy that urine tests can't rival. The high reliability of hair tests ensures superior detection of substance use, crucial for maintaining stringent standards in various sectors.
Hair follicle testing in Fruitdale, CA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability gives employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history, capturing long-term patterns rather than short-term habits. It's a vital tool for better-informed decisions in hiring and maintaining safety standards.
Hair follicle tests are inherently resistant to tampering, offering a significant advantage in Fruitdale, CA. The meticulous collection methodology virtually eliminates the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring every result is reliable and unquestionable. This integrity makes it a trusted method for those requiring absolute assurance.
Our extensive network of testing centers, including local facilities in Fruitdale, CA, ensures unmatched convenience for hair follicle testing. Accessible nationwide, these centers make it possible to undergo testing quickly and easily without the hassle of traveling far, streamlining the process for all individuals involved.
In Fruitdale, CA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. This straightforward approach alleviates concerns and enhances user experience, assuring participants of complete discretion.
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Fruitdale, CA, provides excellent value. This affordability ensures that companies of all sizes can access reliable testing services without financial strain, enabling them to uphold quality standards efficiently and sustainably.
The precision and speed offered by hair follicle drug tests in Fruitdale, CA, are unparalleled. Unlike traditional methods, they provide fast, accurate results, making them a preferred choice for detecting substance use. This high-level accuracy ensures reliable outcomes, crucial for both employers and individuals seeking definitive answers.
In Fruitdale, CA, employing hair follicle testing aligns seamlessly with workplace drug-free policies, providing compliance assurance and reducing legal liabilities. This method enhances workplace safety by furnishing a clear, dependable picture of employee substance use, offering peace of mind to employers committed to a safe environment.
