Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burlingame, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers about a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is advisable to gather 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in lab processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial steps of integrating a sample into the lab’s system, ensuring that it was sealed and sent correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for substance abuse. While it offers a cost-effective means for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal validation. Any samples with presumptive positive results from Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample registers a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at markedly lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening presents the greatest challenge.

Confirmation of any preliminary positive results employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to Confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Unlike urine tests—which have limited detection spans—hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days retrospectively.
• Cheating is challenging: Tampering with a hair drug test is difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological usage data: It reveals drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs become traceable in hair around 5-7 days post-usage.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variances: Elements like hair color and individual growth rate variability can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in Burlingame, KS, due to its enhanced detection abilities. Hair tests provide superior accuracy by identifying drug use that urine samples might miss. Especially for long-term detection, hair testing is unmatched. Employers in this region benefit from the test's reliability and comprehensive results, offering a clearer view of substance use over time.

While urine tests detect recent usage, hair tests excel in reflecting a broader drug history, making them invaluable for employers determined to maintain a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Burlingame, KS, sets it apart from other methods. With the ability to trace drug use up to 90 days, employers gain a detailed insight into an individual's past substance use. This extended window is crucial for a thorough evaluation.

Offering a picture of longer-term habits, hair testing aids in informed decisions concerning hiring and employment continuation.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Burlingame, KS, the risk of tampering is minimal with hair follicle testing, unlike traditional methods. This test is highly resistant to sample adulteration, ensuring that results are both reliable and accurate. The significance of such level of assurance can’t be overstated.

Hair follicle testing guarantees integrity, providing results that are beyond reproach, solidifying trust in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide, including Burlingame, KS. Our expansive reach ensures that you have easy access to reliable drug testing services practically anywhere. Whether local or national, facilities are readily accessible to accommodate busy schedules and immediate needs.

The convenience of our locations makes the testing process efficient and stress-free for all participants.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Burlingame, KS, is straightforward and confidential. Ordering tests and receiving results are done with ease and privacy, providing peace to those involved.

Concerns about confidentiality are addressed with our secure protocols, ensuring all interactions remain discreet and respectful, putting minds at ease throughout the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and rapid turnaround characterize hair follicle testing services in Burlingame, KS. Our affordable rates combined with speedy results help businesses of all sizes find great value. Knowing that cost-efficient solutions do not compromise quality, companies can trust our services to deliver timely and reliable outcomes.

Quick result delivery systems ensure minimal disruption to workflows, supporting effective decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Burlingame, KS, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and accurate results. The process stands out for its precision in identifying substance use.The efficiency of the testing method ensures that individuals receive timely and trustworthy outcomes.

Accuracy is paramount when it comes to detecting drugs, and hair tests leave little room for errors, enhancing reliability in outcomes for the residents of Burlingame.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Burlingame, KS, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing for workplace compliance. The method aligns with drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks. Enhanced workplace safety emerges as a critical benefit.

By ensuring adherence to regulations, hair testing empowers employers to maintain their commitment to a drug-free environment, fostering a safer workforce.

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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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