Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is regarded as a potent method for discovering substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term markers of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands. When collected near the scalp, hair offers up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, the optimum sample for testing and validation. For EtG, extensions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we are referring solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a specimen into a lab’s system. This encompasses verifying the specimen was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude substance use on most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be valid for legal proceedings. Any samples that are tentatively positive during Screening require a secondary affirmation.
If a sample tests tentatively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing testing methodologies, hair follicle testing in Soledad, CA shows clear advantages over urine testing. The major edge is the extended detection range it provides, ensuring superior accuracy and reliability.
Hair follicle testing in Soledad, CA offers a remarkable detection window, spanning up to 90 days. Employers can gain a thorough understanding of an employee or candidate’s substance habits.
Featuring a tamper-resistant testing method, hair follicle tests in Soledad, CA virtually eliminate sample adulteration risks, guaranteeing trustworthy feedback.
Accessible testing centers across the nation, including in Soledad, CA, facilitate convenient and swift hair follicle testing services, minimizing any inconvenience.
In Soledad, CA, engaging with hair follicle testing is made simple and private. Ordering and receiving results are done with ease, ensuring total confidentiality and assurance.
In Soledad, CA, hair follicle testing features affordable pricing with efficient turnaround. This offers value and assurance to companies of diverse sizes.
In Soledad, CA, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and reliable outcomes. These tests are acclaimed for their high precision in detecting substance use, with results that are both fast and dependable.
Employers in Soledad, CA can maintain compliance and ensure a drug-free workplace through hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal liabilities and promotes safety.
