Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a significant asset for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair can capture a lengthy record of alcohol and drug consumption through its fibers, making it a valuable source for retrospective analysis. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers a retrospective detection period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches comprised of approximately 200 strands (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp weighs about 100 mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and validating results. For extended analyses such as EtG and tests beyond 10 panels, 150 mg of hair is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement is suggested. If scalp hair is not present, body hair of an equivalent amount may be used. The term "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other varieties (like facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
Drug testing in labs undergoes four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is logged into the lab’s system. This phase ensures proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data input that the electronic chain of custody might lack.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation for drug presence. Although it serves as an economical means to potentially exclude drug use, any positive results from this stage need follow-up confirmation to be valid for legal proceedings. Consequently, samples that are tentatively positive in the Screening must undergo a supplementary confirmation.
Upon a tentative positive result in Screening, extra hair from the initial sample is set aside for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid tests), underscoring hair testing as the most challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive result from Screening uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are washed ahead of confirmation when necessary. The full lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine tests in Fairmont City, IL? It all comes down to superior accuracy and reliability. Hair tests, with their long detection windows, easily catch drug usage over months, unlike urine tests.
Hair follicle tests, with their extended detection period, offer a significant advantage in Fairmont City, IL. This method can identify drug use for up to 90 days, providing a detailed substance use history.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures reliable results in Fairmont City, IL. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are challenging to adulterate.
With numerous convenient locations, accessing drug testing in Fairmont City, IL, has never been easier. Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide centers ensure rapid and straightforward testing.
Ensuring a simple and secure process, drug testing in Fairmont City, IL, prioritizes confidentiality and ease. The procedure is straightforward, ensuring privacy at every step.
In Fairmont City, IL, drug testing services offer competitive pricing and quick turnarounds, providing value and reassurance. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes cost-effectiveness.
The swiftness and reliability of hair follicle drug testing in Fairmont City, IL, offer unmatched advantages. Among these, its accuracy in identifying substance use is notable.
For employers in Fairmont City, IL, hair follicle tests offer compliance with drug-free policies and provide peace of mind.