Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive retrospective of substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growth fibers. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month detection timeframe for substances like alcohol. It's straightforward in collection, tricky to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A specimen of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation procedures. For EtG or additional panel tests exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It's best to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't present, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other kinds (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The drug testing laboratory methods incorporate four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the foundational processing of a sample within a laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any additional data input required outside an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening acts as a preliminary evaluation for drug presence. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening must undergo a secondary validation.
When a sample shows a potential positive outcome during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drug components are sourced from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any presumptive positive is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All purported positive samples undergo cleansing prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the assessment focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Placerville, CO comes down to several key advantages. Hair testing offers a longer detection window and is highly accurate and reliable. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests are difficult to tamper with, offering peace of mind through more robust results.
Employers with strict no-drug policies benefit greatly from these superior testing methods.
Extended Detection Window is a significant advantage of hair follicle tests in Placerville, CO. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis detects drug use over a prolonged period, sometimes up to 90 days, providing employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.
This extended window allows for a comprehensive assessment far beyond the capabilities of urine tests.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Placerville, CO highlights the security of hair follicle tests. They substantially lower the risk of sample adulteration, unlike urine tests, which are more susceptible to manipulation. This provides unquestionable results that give employers confidence in the integrity of their testing process.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations are available in and around Placerville, CO. Our testing centers are widely accessible for quick and efficient service. No matter where you're located, our network ensures that testing services are easy to access, reducing travel time and simplifying the testing process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Placerville, CO prioritizes user privacy and accessibility. Ordering, undergoing, and receiving the results of a hair test is straightforward, addressing privacy concerns effectively. The ease of use of our services reassures participants, upholding confidentiality every step of the way.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Placerville, CO are cornerstones of our service offering. Our competitive pricing structures cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring that hair follicle drug testing remains accessible. With quick turnaround times, companies receive valuable insights swiftly, supporting operational efficiency and planning.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are crucial in Placerville, CO for effective drug testing. Hair follicle tests are designed to deliver precise and speedy detection of substance use, ensuring high accuracy that traditional methods struggle to match. With their efficient processing, these tests offer trusted results that inform critical decisions quickly.
Employers value the swiftness and reliability of these tests, enabling informed decisions.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Placerville, CO is crucial. Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety. This testing method supports companies in fulfilling their duty of care, safeguarding reputation, and maintaining a healthy work environment.
