Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing emerges as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a longitudinal timeline of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.
A sample of approximately 200 hair strands, measuring 1.5 inches, akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil, nearest to the scalp yields 100mg—a prime sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or over 10-panel tests, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair should be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to initially processing a specimen into a lab's system. This involves verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation, as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing in Muscatine, IA, reveals numerous benefits over urine tests. Hair testing boasts a longer detection window, capturing substance use over several months, unlike the limited days urine tests offer. This allows for greater accuracy and reliability, making it the preferred choice for employers and legal bodies enforcing zero-tolerance policies.
Hair follicle testing, available in Muscatine, IA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This longer period ensures a comprehensive analysis of an individual's substance use, providing valuable insight into an employee or applicant's drug history. Consequently, it helps employers make informed decisions regarding potential hires or current staff.
In Muscatine, IA, hair follicle testing stands out for its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring results are reliable and unquestionable. The integrity of the results provides reassurance, making this a trusted method for a wide array of applications, from employment to legal judgments.
Convenient testing locations are abundant in Muscatine, IA, and nationwide, ensuring hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services. With numerous centers available, securing a quick and easy testing appointment is simple, providing convenience for both individuals and businesses needing reliable drug testing solutions.
In Muscatine, IA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, conducting tests, and receiving results are streamlined to ensure ease of use while prioritizing privacy. This simple process welcomes users who value discretion and effectiveness in their drug testing procedures.
An attractive feature of hair follicle testing in Muscatine, IA, is its affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. Competitive pricing structures provide excellent value for companies, regardless of size, while ensuring results are delivered quickly, reinforcing trust in the reliability and efficiency of the testing services provided.
Fast, accurate, and reliable results are the hallmarks of hair follicle drug testing in Muscatine, IA. This method of drug testing provides exceptional precision and speed, ensuring that substance use is accurately detected over a longer timeframe. With high accuracy, hair testing surpasses more traditional forms, delivering dependable results promptly, fostering confidence in the testing process.
Employers in Muscatine, IA, seeking peace of mind can rely on hair follicle testing. This method supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, ensuring legal standards are met while enhancing workplace safety. By implementing this testing, employers diminish the risk of legal repercussions and promote a safe working environment.
