Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month period for detecting substances. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both testing and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is lacking, a similar volume of body hair can be collected. Referring to head hair implies scalp hair, while body hair includes all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four fundamental steps in lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is processed into a lab's system. This step includes confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although it's a cost-efficient method for discounting drug usage on most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening need subsequent confirmation.
If there is a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is gathered from the initial sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than with other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often mislabeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is of the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pearl City, IL
In Pearl City, hair follicle testing has distinct advantages over standard urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Pearl City, IL
Hair follicle testing provides an unmatched detection period, stretching to 90 days in Pearl City.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pearl City, IL
For those seeking reliability, hair follicle testing in Pearl City ensures minimal risk of sample tampering.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations including Local Options in Pearl City, IL
With numerous testing centers available, including those in Pearl City, obtaining a test is straightforward.
Simple, Confidential Process in Pearl City, IL
The simplicity and confidentiality of hair follicle testing in Pearl City are noteworthy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pearl City, IL
For businesses in Pearl City, affordable pricing and swift result delivery enhance value.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pearl City, IL
Hair follicle drug testing in Pearl City stands out for its speed and accuracy.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pearl City, IL
Implementing hair follicle testing helps Pearl City employers enforce drug-free policies.
