Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug presence by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from near the scalp, hair can present a detection timeframe of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Gathering hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to mail.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for scrutiny and validation. For EtG, optional elements, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, a commensurate quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean exclusively scalp hair. Body hair denotes any other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary, and so forth).
Process Overview
The laboratory workflow involved in processing a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial induction of a sample into a lab's protocol. It encompasses ensuring proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic custody chain mechanism.
Screening offers a preliminary and quick evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is financially efficient for excluding drug presence in most samples, a positive screen demands validation to hold in court. Any samples with presumptive positives necessitate a secondary validation.
If a sample evidences a presumptive positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial collection for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably diminished concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Validation of any affirmative screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive samples undergo cleansing prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although typically termed "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In South Wilmington, IL, hair follicle testing emerges as a superior alternative to urine testing. Why?
Hair tests offer extended detection windows that urine tests can't match, enabling the identification of substance use up to 90 days prior. This prolonged period gives employers a detailed substance history, unlike urine tests which are limited to recent usage.
Moreover, hair tests are more resilient against tampering, ensuring results that are both reliable and accurate beyond standard urine tests.
With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in South Wilmington, IL, stands out as a comprehensive approach. What's the advantage?
Employers gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history. This broad window captures drug use over extended periods, facilitating more informed hiring or monitoring decisions. It extends far beyond traditional methods that only provide short-term insights.
In South Wilmington, IL, hair follicle testing offers a robust defense against adulteration attempts.
Convenience is key in South Wilmington, IL, with our extensive network of testing centers. Highlights:
The process of hair follicle testing in South Wilmington, IL, is marked by simplicity and confidentiality.
In South Wilmington, IL, competitive pricing and quick results define our hair follicle testing service. Value Proposition:
Our pricing strategies are tailored to be accessible, ensuring companies of all sizes can benefit without straining budgets.
In South Wilmington, IL, the hair follicle drug testing process is renowned for its swiftness and accuracy.
Hair follicle testing helps employers in South Wilmington, IL, ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies. Benefits:
It reduces legal liabilities by demonstrating a zero-tolerance stance on substance abuse, enhancing workplace safety and overall employee health. Using hair testing reflects a commitment to upholding both safety and compliance, aligning with regulatory standards while maintaining peace of mind for all stakeholders involved.
