Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term recorder of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair stalk. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers about a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Measuring the specimen weight on a jeweler's balance is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair might be obtained. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial handling of a sample within the lab’s framework. This phase includes verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not supplied by an electronic custody tracking system.
Screening involves a preliminary check for drug substances. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be accepted in court. Samples testing positive in Screening require follow-up confirmation.
Should a sample test positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug analysis as the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples registering positive are cleaned prior to Confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated per CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 requirements.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Park Hills, KY, lies in its superior detection capabilities.
Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests in accuracy and reliability.
Extended Detection Window in Park Hills, KY, is a critical advantage of hair follicle testing.
This method detects drug usage over an extended period, up to 90 days.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Park Hills, KY, makes hair follicle tests exceptionally reliable.
These tests significantly decrease the possibility of sample adulteration.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Park Hills, KY, offer seamless testing services.
Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network simplifies access and enhances convenience.
Simple, Confidential Process in Park Hills, KY, guarantees privacy and ease.
The streamlined approach to drug testing ensures client's convenience.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Park Hills, KY, enhances the value of hair follicle testing. Competitive pricing structures meet diverse company needs while maintaining quality.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Park Hills, KY, make hair follicle drug tests an excellent tool for substance detection.
With a rapid turnaround, these tests provide high accuracy levels.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Park Hills, KY, is assured through hair follicle testing.
Aligning with drug-free workplace initiatives, this method minimizes legal liabilities.
