Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair encapsulates a long-term account of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can unveil a detection window of up to about 3 months for substances and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests extending beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be scarce, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in the lab consists of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the preliminary introduction of a specimen into the lab’s system. This encompasses confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody method.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified for judicial acceptance. Any samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening need subsequent confirmation.
If Screening returns a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and set for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging technique to implement.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Salem, FL Hair testing offers notable advantages over traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Salem, FL Hair follicle testing stands out by identifying drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Salem, FL Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the chance of sample tampering.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Salem, FL Numerous testing centers across the nation make accessing services simple.
Simple, Confidential Process in Salem, FL Our testing procedure is straightforward and respects privacy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Salem, FL Competitive pricing and swift processing times offer great value.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Salem, FL Hair follicle drug tests are exceptionally precise, providing rapid and accurate results for detecting substance use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Salem, FL Hair follicle testing aids in adhering to drug-free workplace policies.