Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug activities by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When sampled nearest the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to falsify, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp will supply 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. References to head hair solely mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process for laboratory analysis of a drug test comprises Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system. This phase includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any remaining data entry not offered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers a rapid preliminary evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use for most samples, a positive result in screening must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that come out presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in alternative approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging methodology to execute.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used to confirm any positive screening outcomes. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed as deemed necessary prior to confirmation. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests," the actual test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp
Hair follicle testing in Westervelt, IL significantly outperforms traditional urine testing. Unlike urine tests, hair testing covers an extended detection period, typically up to 90 days, offering employers profound insights into an individual's substance use history. This method also ensures higher accuracy and reliability, crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace.
The hair follicle testing method provides a considerable detection window, able to trace drug use up to 90 days prior. This advantage allows employers in Westervelt, IL to gain a comprehensive understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance history, ensuring a drug-free workplace.
In Westervelt, IL, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method, significantly lowering the risk of sample adulteration. This testing method ensures that the results are reliable and unquestionable, making it an ideal choice for those seeking accuracy and dependability in drug screening.
With convenient testing locations nationwide and locally in Westervelt, IL, accessing hair follicle testing services is effortless. Our testing centers ensure the process is quick and hassle-free, providing easy accessibility to all seeking reliable testing services.
The process for hair follicle testing in Westervelt, IL is simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the focus remains on privacy and ease, alleviating any concerns about confidentiality or process complexity.
Providing competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Westervelt, IL offer exceptional value. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable solutions that deliver peace of mind through fast, reliable results.
In Westervelt, IL, hair follicle tests are renowned for their precision and speed. They stand as a reliable method for detecting substances, delivering results that are both fast and highly accurate. The technology employed in hair testing enhances its reliability, making it a premier choice for detecting drug use robustly.
For employers in Westervelt, IL, utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By doing so, businesses not only reduce legal risks but also enhance workplace safety, ensuring peace of mind for all involved.
