Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs of about three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing above 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, and so forth).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test are comprised of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the primary handling of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial assessment for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal scenarios. Any samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample indicate a positive in the Screening stage, extra hair is extracted from the original sample for further Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from the hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methods such as urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug analysis is the most challenging technique to execute.
Positive screening results are validated via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive are washed prior to confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself focuses on the hair strand, not on the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Damariscotta, ME is evident through several benefits.
Extended Detection Window in Damariscotta, ME with hair follicle testing is pivotal.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Damariscotta, ME ensures integrity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Damariscotta, ME ease the process.
Simple, Confidential Process in Damariscotta, ME eases concerns about privacy and usability.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Damariscotta, ME delivers excellent value.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Damariscotta, ME are now possible with the hair follicle drug test.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Damariscotta, ME is achievable via hair follicle testing.
