Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis emerges as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term history of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands' growing fibers. Secured near the scalp, hair can reflect a detection window of around three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is recommended to use 150mg of hair. We suggest weighing the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be substituted. Head hair refers only to scalp hair, while body hair covers all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of the sample into a laboratory's system. This step includes checking that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry beyond what's provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening effectively rules out drug usage in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation for court validity. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging technique.
Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples are washed as required. The entire laboratory process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, there are notable advantages to consider. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Where urine tests are limited to detecting recent drug use, hair tests can identify a more extended history of substance use, making them invaluable for employers and individuals alike.
Hair follicle testing in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, is renowned for its extended detection window, capable of tracing substance use history for up to 90 days. This protracted detection period offers employers comprehensive insights into an individual’s substance habits, benefiting workplace and applicant assessment strategies.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL's hair follicle testing greatly minimizes the risk of tampering, offering reliable and unquestionable results. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are less susceptible to sample adulteration, ensuring integrity and accuracy in the test outcomes.
With convenient testing locations nationwide and in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, accessing drug testing facilities is both quick and easy. Our extensive network ensures hassle-free service availability, guaranteeing timely testing for all clients.
The simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, addresses privacy concerns effectively. From ordering to test execution and receiving results, the process is streamlined and assures confidentiality at every step.
In Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, our hair follicle testing services are not only fast but also affordable. Offering competitive pricing structures, we ensure quick turnaround times, bringing exceptional value and assurance to businesses of all scales.
In Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and speed. These tests are known for their exceptional accuracy, effectively identifying substance use. Precise results offer individuals and organizations the assurance of reliable testing methods, reflecting the highest standards of accuracy in drug detection.
Adopting hair follicle testing in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. Ensuring alignment with drug-free workplace policies diminishes legal risks, creating safer work environments. Hair testing acts as a critical component in bolstering company safety measures.
