Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating markers within the strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can provide up to a 3-month timeframe for identifying drugs and alcohol. Gathering hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the roots will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect size for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or any test exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advised. It's beneficial to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent mass of body hair can be utilized. When we mention head hair, it solely refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for determining drug test outcomes encompasses four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes preliminary processing into the lab's system. This step entails checking that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, attributing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not included via an electronic custody system.
Screening serves as an initial, swift evaluation for substance abuse. While it offers a cost-efficient means to eliminate the possibility of drug use in most samples, a positive result on this initial screen must be verified for it to hold up in legal proceedings. Any samples flagged with presumptive positives during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation step.
When a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, an additional hair portion is extracted from the original sample and is readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are withdrawn from the hair at markedly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is the reason hair drug testing is particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screen outcome occurs through methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed pre-confirmation as required. The full lab procedure—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being named "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
In Grant Park, IL, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine tests by offering a more reliable detection method. While traditional urine tests have their place, hair testing ensures accuracy and security, significantly limiting possible test manipulation and providing extensive detection capabilities.
Hair follicle testing in Grant Park, IL offers a much longer detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This extended period provides a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance use, going beyond the limitations of shorter-term detection methods.
In Grant Park, IL, hair follicle tests are known for their tamper-resistant properties. Unlike other testing methodologies prone to sample adulteration, hair tests offer assurance by delivering reliable and unalterable results, significantly reducing any manipulation risks.
Accessing hair follicle testing in Grant Park, IL is convenient with numerous testing locations available nationwide. These centers provide effortless access and quick services, ensuring a seamless testing experience for everyone involved.
In Grant Park, IL, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure safeguards privacy and ensures an easy experience, addressing common concerns about confidentiality and straightforwardness.
Grant Park, IL businesses can benefit from affordable pricing and swift turnaround times with hair follicle testing. This combination provides excellent value, catering to companies of every size while delivering fast, dependable results.
Residents of Grant Park, IL can rely on the precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests. Known for their accuracy, these tests quickly detect substance use, providing prompt and reliable results. For those seeking fast, dependable outcomes, hair testing stands out as an exemplary method.
Employers in Grant Park, IL can gain peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal issues while enhancing overall workplace safety and security.
