Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now viewed as an efficient method for detecting substance use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection window of close to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, containing about 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimum amount for screenings and confirmations. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample within the laboratory’s system. This step verifies the sample's seal and appropriate shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial screening for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.
If the Screening stage result is presumptively positive, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any presumptive positive results from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to the confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer as it examines the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle underneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle drug testing clearly surpass traditional urine tests in Hatfield, MA. Hair tests provide exceptional detection accuracy and greater reliability.
In Hatfield, MA, hair follicle testing offers a prolonged detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This allows employers to obtain a complete understanding of an individual's substance use history.
The integrity of hair follicle testing in Hatfield, MA, lies in its resistance to tampering. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration.
Nationwide testing centers, including those in Hatfield, MA, offer unrivaled convenience, ensuring ease of access to hair follicle testing services.
The hair follicle drug testing process in Hatfield, MA, is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.
Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Hatfield, MA, provide hair follicle testing that offers excellent value for companies.
In Hatfield, MA, the meticulousness and speed of hair follicle drug assessments stand out. These tests boast a high degree of precision, offering reliable detection of substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Hatfield, MA, supports compliance and brings peace of mind to employers. By utilizing these tests, companies ensure drug-free work policies are upheld.
