Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has increasingly become recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol ingestion. The hair provides an extended record of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within its growing strands. When collected near the scalp, a sample can indicate drug and alcohol presence over a period of about 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing approximately 200 strands (roughly comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) cut near the scalp, will yield about 100mg of hair, suitable for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for precise weighing of the sample. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equal amount of body hair can be used instead. Scalp hair specifically refers to the hair on the head, while body hair includes all other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
Four core steps occur in a lab when processing a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a sample is logged into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any necessary supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody application.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. While it is a cost-efficient measure to eliminate drug use in most samples, a confirmed screen is necessary for legal acceptance. Any samples that show potential drug presence during Screening require further verification.
In instances where a sample shows a presumptive positive during the Screening, additional hair from the collected sample is prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis one of the most challenging methods to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screen is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples suspected to be positive undergo a washing process before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the scalp’s hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Woolstock, IA is clear when considering detection duration. Hair assessments provide a wider window, capturing a longer history of substance use compared to urine analyses. Their reliability and precision present a robust alternative to traditional methods.
Extended Detection Window in Woolstock, IA enables hair testing to reveal drug use dating back up to 90 days. This longer period empowers employers to better assess substance trends, giving a fuller picture of an individual's habits compared to shorter-term tests.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Woolstock, IA showcases the security of hair strand analysis. The procedure greatly minimizes manipulation risks, ensuring results are both credible and indisputable.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and local availability in Woolstock, IA underscore our commitment to accessibility. With centers across the nation, we ensure the testing process is effortless and readily available.
Simple, Confidential Process in Woolstock, IA makes ordering, conducting, and receiving test results straightforward and discreet. Privacy remains a primary concern, ensuring ease for users in every step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Woolstock, IA underline our value proposition, making hair testing economical for businesses of all sizes. Quick results alongside competitive fees ensure peace of mind and efficiency.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Woolstock, IA are paramount with hair follicle drug evaluations. Their high precision in identifying substance usage makes them a top choice. The methodology ensures results that are swift and dependable, offering clarity and confidence to employers and authorities alike.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Woolstock, IA is assured with hair follicle analyses. Adhering to drug-free regulations, it reduces legal vulnerabilities and enhances workplace safety effectively.
