Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greenfield Town, MA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying substance use. It provides an extended timeline of drug and alcohol use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is cut close to the scalp, it offers a detection window of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

To obtain a suitable sample, a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) is taken from the region closest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels beyond 10, or other specific requirements, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for measurement is advisable. If scalp hair cannot be collected, equivalent amounts of body hair may be used. Note that “head hair” specifically means scalp hair, while “body hair” includes all other types such as facial or underarm hair.

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test is comprised of the steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample undergoes initial processing into the lab’s system, verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any necessary data entry beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although it is an efficient way to exclude drug use for most samples, a screening result that is positive requires verification for legal admissibility. Samples that are likely positive during Screening need subsequent confirmation.

In cases where a sample shows potential positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, the concentration of drugs is isolated at a significantly lower level than in other methods, such as urine or saliva, contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of potential positive screenings is executed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with suspected positivity are washed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a limited detection period.
• Cheating resistance: The likelihood of cheating a hair drug test is very low, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical insight: Provides insights into drug use patterns over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after consumption.
• Higher cost: Compared to other drug testing methods, hair drug tests are relatively more expensive.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The benefits of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Greenfield Town, MA are manifold. Hair tests hold a superior edge due to their enhanced accuracy and greater reliability in detecting long-term substance use.

Unlike urine tests, which detect recent use, hair follicle tests offer an extensive detection window. This makes them an invaluable tool for individuals and organizations committed to drug-free workplaces or policies.

Extended Detection Window

In Greenfield Town, MA, Extended Detection Window is a pivotal factor where hair follicle testing triumphs. Such tests have the capability to identify drug usage over a period extending up to 90 days.

For employers, this prolonged window is crucial. It provides a thorough perspective of an individual's substance history, pertinent in making informed and safe hiring decisions in workplaces valuing integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Greenfield Town, MA companies value Tamper-Resistant Testing Method offered by hair follicle tests, as it markedly lessens the risk of adulteration.

Hair testing ensures reliable and unquestionable results since samples are collected under supervision, eliminating the potential for tampering. This method promises confidence in its accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations alongside those in Greenfield Town, MA, ensure a seamless experience. Our expansive network provides quick and hassle-free access to testing services.

Individuals in Greenfield can enjoy the advantages of a testing network that spans the nation, securing efficient, reliable access to drug testing services, no matter the location.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Greenfield Town, MA, the process is designed to be Simple and Confidential. From scheduling to collection and result retrieval, every step maintains privacy and ease of use.

Clients can rest assured that the hair follicle testing process respects their confidentiality while ensuring the accuracy of results, all executed with utmost simplicity and efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround are cornerstones of hair follicle testing in Greenfield Town, MA, offering exceptional value for businesses.

Our competitive pricing structure, paired with swift result processing, ensures that companies of any size receive top quality service and peace of mind, all without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are obtainable through hair follicle drug tests in Greenfield Town, MA. These tests showcase precision and speed, making them indispensable for acquiring accurate information on substance usage.

Primarily, hair follicle tests boast high accuracy levels, screening for substances effectively. The process enables institutions to confidently determine the substance-use history of an individual swiftly and precisely.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Greenfield Town, MA experience Compliance and Peace of Mind through hair follicle testing. Implementing such tests allows them to uphold drug-free workplace policies.

These tests mitigate legal risks while elevating workplace safety and health. Emphasizing the consistent enforcement of these policies assures a safer and compliant working 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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