Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Sampling hair close to the scalp can reveal a detection period for alcohol and drugs extending up to roughly 90 days. It's straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp weighs around 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and validation. For EtG, enhancements, or panel tests exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is preferable. Using a jeweler's scale for precision in weighing the specimen is advised. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of bodily hair is acceptable. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is logged into the laboratory system, which involves confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial cursory test for substances of abuse. Although a cost-efficient method to indicate the absence of drugs from most specimens, positive screens need confirmation before being validated in legal proceedings. Samples with presumptive positive results during Screening require additional verification.
Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is withdrawn from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from the hair at lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence why hair drug testing is the most challenging to perform.
Confirmation for any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing when necessary prior to confirmation. The complete laboratory process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—undergoes evaluation based on both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates strands of hair rather than the follicles under the scalp.
When it comes to drug testing, hair follicle tests in Williamson, GA, offer distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. The benefits of superior detection accuracy and reliability are what set hair testing apart.
The extended detection period of hair follicle testing in Williamson, GA, offers employers an in-depth view of substance use. With the ability to identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, hair testing provides insightful data.
In Williamson, GA, the meticulous nature of hair follicle tests greatly minimizes the chance of sample tampering. This testing method is instrumental in producing reliable and unquestionable results.
With convenient locations across the nation and in Williamson, GA, accessing our hair follicle testing services is hassle-free. Our extensive network ensures seamless testing.
In Williamson, GA, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process addresses privacy and ease-of-use concerns effectively.
Located in Williamson, GA, we provide competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Our services offer exceptional value and peace of mind for businesses.
In Williamson, GA, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and precision. These tests are renowned for their accuracy in pinpointing substance usage.
Hair follicle testing in Williamson, GA, equips employers with the assurance of policy compliance. This method reduces legal liabilities while fostering a culture of workplace safety.
