Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has become recognized as a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a record keeper for alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is clipped close to the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol presence over a timeframe of up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
An ideal hair test requires a 1.5-inch segment from around 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, totaling 100mg of hair for analysis. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or more than 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in laboratory drug test result processing: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where samples enter the lab's system. Tasks here include ensuring samples are properly sealed and sent, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data omissions not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening follows with a rapid check for substances of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach to preliminarily assess most samples, those with positive results need confirmation for legal use. Presumptively positive samples from Screening must undergo confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives from Screening, additional hair is taken from the sample for the Extraction process. Drugs are pulled from hair at concentrations lower than those in other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing particularly challenging to conduct.
Confirmation of initial positive results is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is performed in line with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", it is the hair strand that gets analyzed, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Mineral, IL, hair follicle testing stands out compared to traditional urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests detect a broader range of substances, making them a preferred choice for those emphasizing honesty and thoroughness in substance detection.
For employers in Mineral, IL, hair follicle testing provides a prolonged detection window, uncovering drug use for up to 90 days. This extended scope presents a complete view of an individual’s substance use history, facilitating informed and reliable employee assessments.
With tamper-resistant measures, hair follicle tests in Mineral, IL minimize the risk of sample adulteration. Their robust design ensures the results remain trustworthy, eliminating doubts and fostering confidence in drug testing programs.
Access to hair follicle testing is convenient with our widespread centers in Mineral, IL. The nationwide and local sites make testing services easily reachable, ensuring fast and hassle-free processes tailored to clients' needs.
The hair follicle testing process in Mineral, IL is straightforward and maintains confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the process is streamlined to ensure privacy and ease, all while providing thorough and precise outcomes.
Our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Mineral, IL offers companies financial accessibility without compromising quality. Fast turnaround times and affordability are key, delivering excellent value while ensuring comprehensive drug testing.
Hair follicle tests in Mineral, IL provide speed and precision, offering unmatched accuracy for detecting substance use. Their rapid delivery of results and high detection reliability ensure they contribute significantly to maintaining a drug-free environment.
In Mineral, IL, hair follicle testing offers employers compliance assurance with drug-free workplace policies. This method enhances safety and mitigates legal risks, providing peace of mind through reliable testing that upholds workplace norms.
