Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term record for drugs and alcohol by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair offers roughly a 3-month detection scope for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to obtain, somewhat tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process of a drug test encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial sample entry into the lab’s system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. As a budget-friendly method, Screening eliminates drug use for most samples, yet a positive screen must be verified for court use. Any samples testing presumptive positive in Screening require further verification.
If a sample tests presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to carry out.
Positive screening outcomes are validated via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab procedure is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Prophetstown, IL
The extended detection and reliability make hair tests the superior choice.
Extended Detection Window in Prophetstown, IL
Such insights aid in making informed hiring and retention decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Prophetstown, IL
An inherently trustworthy method, it gives clear, irrefutable results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Prophetstown, IL
Ready availability assures comfort and speed in obtaining necessary testing services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Prophetstown, IL
This ensures both ease of use and peace of mind for participants in the testing.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Prophetstown, IL
This approach ensures thorough testing without breaking budgets.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Prophetstown, IL
The speed and precision of these tests bring peace of mind by offering reliable insight into substance use concerns.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Prophetstown, IL
Overall, hair testing supports maintaining a dependable, safe work environment.