Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows, hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances. When taken near the scalp, hair can unveil an alcohol and drug usage history extending up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
A length of hair measuring 1.5 inches composed of approximately 200 strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp equates to 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation testing. For EtG, supplementary, and/or tests surpassing ten panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of the sample. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair might be utilized. When head hair is mentioned, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of integrating a sample into a lab’s system initially. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic custody chain is completed.
Screening signifies an initial, rapid assessment for abused drugs. While it offers an economical means to negate drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is mandatory for court validity. Any samples potentially positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
If Screening suggests a sample is positive, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to urine or oral fluid, highlighting why hair drug screening presents the highest challenge in methodology execution.
To corroborate any positive screening results, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are appropriately washed. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standards of ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair filament, not the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests in Honcut, CA.
Known for its extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Honcut, CA captures substance use traces up to 90 days.
In Honcut, CA, the hair follicle test stands out for its tamper-resistant qualities.
We provide convenient nationwide and local locations for drug testing in Honcut, CA.
The hair follicle testing process in Honcut, CA is simple and confidential.
With affordable pricing and swift turnarounds, hair follicle testing in Honcut, CA delivers value.
The hair follicle drug testing method is renowned for its speed and precision in Honcut, CA. This testing technique provides very accurate results in detecting recent and past substance use.
Employers in Honcut, CA experience compliance and peace of mind through hair testing.