Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pomeroy, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains evidence of alcohol and drug use over an extended period by capturing biomarkers in the structure of the growing strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair offers up to a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, extras, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the weight of the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair may be extracted. Reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning signifies the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This includes validating the sample’s sealing and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening signifies a preliminary brisk examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to negate drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples with a presumptively positive Screening outcome require further confirmation.

In cases where a Screening result is presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is among the most challenging methods.

Positive screening results are substantiated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests’ shorter detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: It is notably difficult to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Delivers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Detecting drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur more costs than other drug testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Frequently termed as “hair follicle tests,” the evaluation actually assesses the hair strand, not the sub-scalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Pomeroy, IA, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests in many areas. Superior detection accuracy and longer history make hair testing a preferred choice for employers. The detection window extends much further back than standard urine tests, highlighting its efficacy and reliability in identifying patterns of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

In Pomeroy, IA, one of the remarkable advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window of up to 90 days, offering insights into an individual’s drug use history over time. Employers gain a comprehensive view of substance patterns, aiding informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Pomeroy, IA, hair follicle testing is celebrated for its tamper-resistant nature, ensuring samples remain unaltered. Crucial to reliable results, this method reduces risks related to adulteration, delivering accurate outcomes that stand up under scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing facilities, including in Pomeroy, IA, accessibility is a key benefit. Our centers facilitate an easy, hassle-free drug testing experience, swiftly meeting the needs of individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Pomeroy, IA, the process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. Privacy is paramount, and our services are designed to ensure ease of use, respecting client concerns.
Confidential handling is guaranteed at every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Pomeroy, IA, competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make our hair follicle testing an attractive option. Affordability meets speedy service, providing excellent value without compromising on quality or customer satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Pomeroy, IA, hair follicle drug tests deliver results that are fast, precise, and reliable, setting a benchmark in substance abuse detection. Accuracy remains unmatched, as hair testing reveals drug usage patterns over time, ensuring complete trust in the outcome.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pomeroy, IA prioritize hair follicle testing for its role in ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks while promoting a safer working environment, providing peace of mind and adherence to regulations.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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