Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examination is recognized as a robust instrument for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of intoxicants in its fibers as it continues to grow. When retrieved near the scalp, hair offers up to a three-month detection period for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, totaling about 200 strands nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to gather 150mg of the sample. Ensuring accurate weight on a jeweler’s scale is advised. Should scalp hair be lacking, equivalent body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair only. "Body hair" refers to other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Within the lab, drug testing involves four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the upfront phase where a sample is logged into a lab's database. It involves confirming sealed shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling extra data input absent from electronic chain of custody systems.
Screening provides an initial assessment for substance misuse. While efficient for negating drug use in most specimens, positive results from Screening require confirmation to stand up in legal proceedings. Any samples flagged in Screening as positive must undergo an additional check.
A sample marked as possibly positive in Screening has further hair taken for the Extraction phase. At this point, intoxicants are drawn from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those found in systems like urine or saliva, underlining the complexity of hair drug assessments.
Verification of any positive Screening outcome employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before any confirmation, presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing. Each step, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Typically cited as "hair follicle tests", this procedure examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Calmar, IA surpasses urine testing in its capacity to detect substances. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests are not only more accurate but also provide a longer detection window of drug use, allowing for better insights into one's drug activity history.
The advantage of hair follicle testing in Calmar, IA lies in its extended detection window. With the ability to unveil drug use for up to 90 days, this method gives employers a thorough overview of an applicant or employee's past substance use, improving hiring decisions and workforce reliability.
Simplifying drug detection in Calmar, IA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution. Due to their design, these tests significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering, ensuring reliable results that are difficult to contest, unlike other drug-testing methods.
Offering convenience and efficiency, our nationwide testing centers in Calmar, IA, make accessing drug testing services straightforward. With multiple locations, we ensure that individuals experience a smooth and hassle-free testing process, no matter where they are situated.
The hair follicle testing process in Calmar, IA is designed to be simple and confidential. We ensure that ordering, conducting, and receiving test results is straightforward and secure, providing peace of mind for all individuals and companies involved in the process.
In Calmar, IA, our hair follicle drug testing services offer affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. We provide excellent value, making it feasible for organizations of all sizes to implement robust drug testing policies without compromising on budget or efficiency.
In Calmar, IA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and accuracy, ensuring precise and rapid results in substance detection. This method offers unmatched reliability and can efficiently identify a wide range of substances, providing a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s drug history.
Employers in Calmar, IA can achieve greater peace of mind by adopting hair follicle testing. This method assures compliance with workplace drug policies, minimizing legal liabilities while enhancing the safety and productivity of the work environment.
