Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The utilization of hair testing has gained prominence as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of these substances by encasing biomarkers within its growing strands. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it offers up to a roughly three-month detection window for both alcohol and drugs. This type of sample collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to dispatch.
A 1.5-inch piece comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both initial analysis and validation. For tests that include EtG, extended panels, or exceed 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. It's advisable to measure the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. The term head hair solely refers to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test in the lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial input of a sample into the lab system. This process includes verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any outstanding data input not handled by an electronic custody chain.
Screening is a preliminary, economical assessment to detect the presence of drug abuse. While Screening effectively eliminates drug use in most cases, a positive result here requires further confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples with a positive indication from Screening need secondary verification.
For samples tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is used from the collected sample for further testing in the Extraction stage. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair, even at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral tests), highlighting the challenge of hair drug screening.
The Confirmation of any preliminary positive result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before final analysis as required. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft instead of the root beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fort Pierce South, FL
In comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, the former demonstrates superior detection capabilities. Its accuracy and reliability make it the preferred method for robust drug-testing solutions in Fort Pierce South, FL.
Extended Detection Window in Fort Pierce South, FL
Hair follicle testing has a significant advantage due to its extended detection period. This method covers up to 90 days of substance use, making it invaluable for employers wishing for a detailed assessment of an individual's drug history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fort Pierce South, FL
The hair follicle test drastically lowers the potential for sample adulteration. Its design ensures sample integrity, delivering results that are both reliable and undeniable.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fort Pierce South, FL
Benefit from the ease of accessing nationwide and local testing centers. This convenience ensures hassle-free testing services available close to Fort Pierce South, FL residents.
Simple, Confidential Process in Fort Pierce South, FL
The hair follicle testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality from ordering to completion, addressing privacy and ease concerns amongst users.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fort Pierce South, FL
Enjoy competitive pricing structures along with rapid turnaround times, delivering excellent value for businesses of all scales.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fort Pierce South, FL
Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision and speed. This method ensures that substances are detected with high accuracy, offering a reliable solution for testing in Fort Pierce South, FL.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fort Pierce South, FL
Incorporating hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, aiding employers in mitigating legal risks and enhancing workplace safety.
