Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ringsted, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken from near the scalp, hair tests can offer up to a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample with roughly 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or for tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is recommended. We suggest weighing the sample on a precision scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step that processes a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to hold up in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs within hair are extracted at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or saliva), which makes hair drug screening a challenging methodology to implement.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques are used to confirm any positive screening results. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection span: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is tremendously difficult, ensuring more credible outcomes.
• Historical usage data: It can reflect a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Price: Generally more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Individual differences: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Ringsted, IA, offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Its increased detection period, up to 90 days, surpasses the brief window urine tests provide, ensuring more accurate insights into drug use histories.

Extended Detection Window

Ringsted, IA, benefits significantly from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. With the ability to identify drug use for up to 90 days, employers gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance usage patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Ringsted, IA, one of the primary benefits of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. Its stringent collection process ensures credible and irrefutable results, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient access to drug testing is available in Ringsted, IA, thanks to our nationwide testing centers. These locations offer straightforward and prompt testing services, enhancing the overall experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of conducting hair follicle drug tests in Ringsted, IA, is both simple and confidential. The ease of ordering tests, coupled with the discretion in reporting results, addresses privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Ringsted, IA, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing with quick result turnaround times. This combination provides excellent value, supporting businesses of varying sizes in maintaining their drug-free policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ringsted, IA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its fast and highly accurate results. The precision of hair testing aids in effectively identifying substance use, providing reliable data for those who need it.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Ringsted, IA, provides employers peace of mind by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This compliance minimizes legal risks and contributes to a safer, more secure work environment.

Drug Testing Near Ringsted, IA

Palo, IA

Whittemore, IA

Burt, IA

Emmetsburg, IA

Bancroft, IA

Cylinder, IA

Wallingford, IA

Dolliver, IA

Graettinger, IA

Gruver, IA

Swea City, IA

Lone Rock, IA

Armstrong, IA

Fenton, IA

Halfa, IA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews