Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive timeline by embedding biomarkers within the hair as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection timeframe of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Collecting it is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch piece, consisting of about 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is perfect for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If head hair is not available, an identical amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process comprises four critical phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any supplementary data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening executes an initial fast screening for substance abuse. Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use on most samples, but a positive outcome requires secondary confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples suggesting positivity in Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.
When a sample is tentatively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair here at a notably lower concentration than in alternatives (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any initial positive results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating preliminary positivity are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entirety of the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the compliance to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis concerns the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Palestine, IL Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Palestine, IL The hair follicle test provides a longer detection window, up to 90 days, offering a thorough substance history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Palestine, IL Hair follicle tests minimize the risk of tampering.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Palestine, IL Our testing centers are conveniently located nationwide, including in Palestine.
Simple, Confidential Process in Palestine, IL Our drug testing process ensures simplicity and confidentiality.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Palestine, IL Benefit from competitive pricing and quick turnaround.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Palestine, IL Hair follicle drug tests in Palestine provide fast and highly accurate results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Palestine, IL Hair follicle testing aids in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies.