Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The hair shaft acts as a repository for drug and alcohol markers, preserving a comprehensive record in its fibers. When obtained near the scalp, a hair strand can offer a drug and alcohol detection period of up to three months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and transportation is simple.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness), provides 100mg, which is ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, extra tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is scarce, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be substituted. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to the scalp, while body hair includes all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Drug testing in a lab encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a specimen into a lab's framework. It entails confirming the sample's secure sealing and proper shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional information absent from an electronic chain of custody documentation.
Screening serves as an initial rapid evaluation for substance misuse. Although Screening offers an economical approach to exclude drug presence in most samples, a confirmed result is required for legal proceedings. Samples with a tentative positive from Screening necessitate further corroboration.
If the Screening suggests a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction stage. Here, substances are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair screening the most complex method to execute.
Verification of any positive outcomes from Screening uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often misused, as the test evaluates the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle and urine testing in Granite, IA, it becomes clear that hair testing offers superior benefits. Hair follicle tests provide unmatched detection accuracy and reliability, whereas traditional urine tests may not offer the same comprehensive results, especially for longer-term substance monitoring.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Granite, IA, is a significant advantage for employers. This testing method identifies drug use over an extended timeframe, up to 90 days, offering a thorough understanding of an employee or candidate’s substance history.
In Granite, IA, hair follicle tests present a tamper-resistant evaluation method, minimizing adulteration risks. This ensures consistent and credible outcomes, making it a trusted choice for employers requiring unquestionable test results.
With numerous nationwide centers, including convenient locations in Granite, IA, our testing services are easily accessible. This network guarantees fast, straightforward, and stress-free testing processes to meet diverse needs.
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results in Granite, IA, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. It addresses privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use, enhancing the comfort of those undergoing testing.
In Granite, IA, our competitive pricing structure combined with swift turnaround times makes hair follicle testing an affordable option. It offers outstanding value, making it an attractive solution for businesses of varying sizes in terms of both cost and efficiency.
In Granite, IA, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its rapid and precise results. This method guarantees high accuracy, making it an excellent choice for substance detection. The efficiency of hair testing surpasses traditional methods, ensuring the reliability needed in critical situations.
For employers in Granite, IA, incorporating hair follicle testing into their procedures offers compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By doing so, companies can reduce legal liabilities and amplify workplace safety, providing peace of mind for management and staff alike.
