Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant resource in identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When acquired near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month timeframe for recognizing alcohol and drug presence. Hair is easy to gather, fairly resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of nearly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the hair is advised. It's advisable to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair indicates all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.
Screening involves a preliminary, swift evaluation for substance abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective strategy for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening require an additional Confirmation step.
Should the Screening indicate a presumptive positive, more hair will be retrieved from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of positive screening results is achieved using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing is highly advantageous due to superior detection accuracy and reliability in Bremen, ME. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers an extensive detection window and fewer opportunities for tampering. Employers benefit from its accurate results that reflect drug use patterns comprehensively, ensuring workplace safety adherence.
The extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing in Bremen, ME, serves as a thorough analysis tool for workers' substance histories. Lasting up to 90 days, this method exposes drug use well beyond the capabilities of other testing forms, equipping employers with essential insights into an individual's long-term drug consumption behavior.
Hair follicle tests in Bremen, ME, are highly tamper-resistant, minimizing risks of sample adulteration. This testing method offers reliable results that are hard to dispute, enhancing the credibility of the drug screening process. Tamper-proof characteristics make it an optimal choice for accurate toxin detection.
With numerous testing sites across the nation and in Bremen, ME, obtaining testing services is made simple. Convenience is prioritized with accessible local centers ensuring a seamless, hassle-free experience for individuals undertaking drug testing.
The process for hair follicle testing in Bremen, ME, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, steps are designed to protect privacy and ease, addressing concerns efficiently while safeguarding sensitive information.
Competitive pricing and speedy results in Bremen, ME, make hair follicle testing accessible for businesses of varying sizes. Offering excellent value, the quick turnaround times provide peace of mind, asserting this method as a cost-effective choice for drug screening needs.
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Bremen, ME, make them a leader in substance detection. Offering unmatched accuracy, these tests swiftly identify substance use, providing quick turnaround times without compromising on reliability. Ensuring both speed and accuracy, hair follicle testing is invaluable for organizations looking for dependable results.
For businesses in Bremen, ME, hair follicle testing delivers compliance with drug-free workplace objectives, curbing legal issues and boosting safety. Firms practicing zero-tolerance policies find this methodology essential in maintaining a lawful and secure work environment.
