Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for evaluation and verification. For testing EtG, any additional options, and/or assays beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only. The term "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing procedure mainly consists of four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning phase includes the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s database. This step involves checking that the sample is securely sealed and transported correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data input not supported by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.
During Screening, a rapid preliminary check for any substance misuse is performed. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to exclude drug intake for most samples, a verified result is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples presumed positive in Screening demand a secondary validation.
When a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction stage. At this phase, substances are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is executed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a cleansing before confirmation as needed. The entire testing procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," these analyses target the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Fayette, IA, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests by offering superior detection precision. It provides unmatched reliability, making it the preferred choice for accuracy.
Hair follicle testing in Fayette, IA provides an extensive detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This offers employers vital insights into an individual’s past substance habits.
By significantly minimizing the possibility of tampering, hair follicle tests in Fayette, IA deliver results that are both reliable and beyond question.
With numerous centers nationwide and local options in Fayette, IA, we offer unmatched convenience and hassle-free access to drug testing services.
In Fayette, IA, our drug testing procedures are straightforward and private, easing any concerns about confidentiality and user-friendliness throughout the process.
Providing swift returns and competitive pricing, our hair follicle testing services in Fayette, IA offer great value, accommodating companies of any scale efficiently.
Hair follicle drug tests in Fayette, IA boast remarkable accuracy and speed, ensuring fast and precise identification of substance use. These tests are trusted for their dependable results.
Hair follicle testing in Fayette, IA ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, safeguarding employers from legal risks and enhancing overall safety.
