Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can provide detection capability for alcohol and other substances for up to three months. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for screening and validation. For EtG tests, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, extra hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.
Any positive result from screening is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed before confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle underneath the scalp.
The preference for hair follicle testing in Littleport, IA is growing due to its superior accuracy over urine tests. While traditional urine assessments detect recent drug use, hair testing offers an extensive insight into substance consumption. This method delivers reliable results over longer periods, setting a high standard for detection and validation.
Hair follicle testing in Littleport, IA boasts a remarkable extended detection window that can reach up to 90 days. This extensive period allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, mitigating risks associated with recent abstinence in drug testing scenarios.
With hair follicle testing being employed in Littleport, IA, the risk of sample tampering is significantly minimized. This tamper-resistant method ensures the reliability of drug test results, providing peace of mind to employers and authorities regarding the authenticity of each sample.
Our nationwide testing network, including centers in Littleport, IA, makes drug testing convenient and accessible. Benefit from seamless access to our services, ensuring timely and effective drug testing that fits effortlessly into your schedule.
The drug testing process in Littleport, IA is both simple and confidential. We guarantee a seamless experience from ordering to receiving results, prioritizing privacy and user-friendly access along every step, addressing any concerns with clarity and anonymity.
Littleport, IA businesses can rely on our affordable pricing models coupled with fast turnaround times. Our competitive offers ensure that companies of various sizes receive quality services without fiscal strain, creating remarkable value and peace.
In Littleport, IA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precise and rapid outputs. This testing method offers unrivaled accuracy in identifying substance use, enabling employers and authorities to make informed decisions. Results are not only quick but also exceptionally reliable, ensuring trust and efficiency in the testing process.
Employers in Littleport, IA can uphold compliance and assure a drug-free workplace by implementing hair follicle tests. This testing methodology decreases legal risks and promotes safety among employees, reinforcing trust and integrity within organizations.
