Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Leon, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis stands out as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for assessment and verification. For EtG, supplements, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If head hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be obtained. References made to head hair denote scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair includes all other hair variants (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the laboratory evaluation process of a drug test sample, which consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary incorporation of a specimen into a lab’s framework. This encompasses checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other necessary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substance use. Though Screening serves as an economical method to eliminate drug usage in the majority of specimens, a confirmatory test is essential for a positive finding to be legally viable. Any samples that indicate a presumptive positive in Screening mandate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a specimen present as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is harvested from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much reduced concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of performing hair drug analysis.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can unveil drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a briefer detection timeframe.
• Challenging to falsify: Surpassing the difficulty of faking a hair drug test enhances the accuracy of the findings.
• Produces historical information: It offers a history of drug consumption across an interval, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to determine recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual distinctions in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Even though termed "hair follicle tests", the examination inspects the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing in Leon, KS, are substantial. Hair testing offers a superior detection period and higher reliability compared to traditional methods. Employers favor this test as it provides more accurate results, making it a highly sought-after choice for drug detection.

Extended Detection Window

In Leon, KS, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing sets it apart. Capable of revealing substance use over a 90-day period, this method grants employers insight into a person's long-term habits, offering a clear view of their drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Leon, KS, hair follicle testing is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly diminishes the chances of sample alteration, ensuring that the results remain dependable and beyond question, a key advantage over other testing types.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Leon, KS, our extensive network of nationwide testing centers guarantees convenience. This coverage ensures swift, uncomplicated, and stress-free access to essential testing services, facilitating seamless testing across diverse locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Leon, KS, the process for hair follicle testing remains simple and confidential. From ordering the test to obtaining results, our process is designed with user ease and privacy in mind, addressing concerns and ensuring customer confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Featuring affordable pricing and quick result delivery, our services in Leon, KS, offer exceptional value. Tailored to meet the needs of all company sizes, our competitive rates coupled with expedited service deliver peace of mind and cost efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Efficiency characterize hair follicle drug tests in Leon, KS. Known for their fast, accurate, and reliable results, this testing ensures high accuracy in identifying substance consumption. The rapid turnaround time provides essential insights quickly, affirming the test's superiority in reliability and precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Leon, KS, achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By upholding drug-free workplace policies, organizations mitigate legal risks and enhance safety, thereby fostering a secure and compliant work environment.

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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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