Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by encasing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to roughly three months. It’s easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 strands (roughly equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 components, it’s advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If there is no scalp hair available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we mean purely scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the introductory phase of inputting a sample into a lab's database. It ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient way to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be valid in court. Any samples that are provisionally positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
When a sample is provisionally positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this step, substances are withdrawn from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is the most challenging method to execute.
Positive screens are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Mariposa, CA sees a preference for hair follicle testing due to its accuracy over traditional urine tests. Hair tests surpass with superior detection reliability, offering a robust alternative.
The benefits of hair testing compared to urine include longer detection windows and greater resistance to tampering, helping employers maintain compliance with drug policies.
Employers in Mariposa, CA appreciate the extended detection period of hair follicle testing. This method traces drug use up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history.
Unlike traditional screenings, hair tests enable employers to view long-term patterns, ensuring a thorough assessment of employees' drug histories over a three-month span.
Hair follicle tests in Mariposa, CA offer a tamper-resistant examination process, substantially reducing the potential for sample adulteration.
The robust design of hair tests ensures that results remain credible and unchallenged, fostering trust in substance use assessments.
Our expansive network, inclusive of Mariposa, CA, facilitates convenient nation-wide access to hair follicle testing, ensuring a seamless experience for all clients.
Local testing centers provide prompt and efficient services, removing barriers to accessing necessary testing services.
Through a straightforward and confidential procedure, hair follicle testing in Mariposa, CA ensures simplicity from ordering to results reception.
This user-friendly process guarantees privacy and ease, addressing any concerns related to the confidentiality of test outcomes.
Competitive pricing models in Mariposa, CA ensure affordable hair follicle testing, paired with fast processing times to deliver excellent value.
Our services promise economical options and quick result turnaround, meeting the needs of companies regardless of size.
In Mariposa, CA, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests stand out. This testing method ensures high accuracy in substance detection, making it a preferred choice for reliable and fast assessments.
Hair follicle tests offer rapid results, coupled with their unmatched accuracy, pinpointing even trace amounts of substances. Their efficiency gives peace of mind to organizations seeking thorough evaluations.
Hair follicle drug testing in Mariposa, CA aids employers in adhering to workplace drug-free policies, enhancing overall peace of mind.
This testing method minimizes legal risks and bolsters workplace safety, offering compliant and secure environments for all employees.
