Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The detection of drug and alcohol consumption using hair testing is increasingly recognized as highly effective. Hair strands preserve long-term evidence of substance use by embedding biomarkers along their fibers as they grow. If collected near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection timeframe of up to three months for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands, approximately the thickness of a pencil, and taken closest to the scalp, provides an optimal 100mg for testing purposes. For tests involving EtG, additional parameters, or more than 10-panel tests, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. It’s prudent to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unattainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. The term head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The main procedural phases of processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s framework. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any further data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for substances. Although cost-effective for exempting most samples from drug use, a positive screening must be verified to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
For samples preliminarily positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methods, such as urine or oral fluids, accounting for the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples that test preliminarily positive undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually examines the hair strand and not the underlying scalp follicle
In Waterloo, CA, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are evident. Hair testing provides a greater detection accuracy and reliability for identifying substance use history. The extensive period covered by hair tests surpasses the brief detection window of urine tests, offering a more comprehensive assessment of a subject's drug use.
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing available in Waterloo, CA, is its extended detection window. Capable of detecting drug use for up to 90 days, hair tests offer employers an in-depth view of an individual’s substance use history, allowing for more informed decision-making.
Hair follicle testing in Waterloo, CA, is renowned for its tamper-resistant qualities. This testing method effectively reduces the chances of sample adulteration, providing results that are as reliable as they are trustworthy. Employers can rest assured that the findings reflect an accurate usage history.
With our nationwide and local testing facilities in Waterloo, CA, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is simple and convenient. Our widespread locations offer quick and hassle-free access, ensuring that testing is readily available for all.
In Waterloo, CA, the hair follicle testing procedure is both simple and confidential. The entire process, from ordering the test to obtaining results, is designed to respect the privacy and ease of use for every individual involved.
Our hair follicle drug testing services in Waterloo, CA, feature affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This ensures excellent value and reliability for businesses of varying sizes, helping maintain workplace safety while staying cost-effective.
The process of hair follicle drug testing in Waterloo, CA, is designed to provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing offers superior precision in identifying substance use. The methodology utilized ensures that every test is conducted with the utmost accuracy to deliver results that employers and individuals can trust.
By adopting hair follicle testing in Waterloo, CA, employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing approach minimizes legal risks while fostering a safer work environment, providing peace of mind to both employers and employees.
