Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair analysis has emerged as a significant means for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. The composition of hair captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers within the structure of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate three-month window of detection for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. When discussing head hair, the reference is specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary procedures in processing a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within a lab's framework. This process involves ensuring the sample was securely sealed and correctly delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any additional data entry not already covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening offers an preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need further confirmation.
For any samples testing presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drug compounds are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screenings particularly challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screen involves techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis occurs on the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp.
In Edwardsburg, MI, choosing hair over urine testing presents significant advantages. Hair tests are more reliable and offer a longer detection window.
Employers in Edwardsburg, MI utilize hair follicle testing for its extended detection window, which spans up to 90 days.
This comprehensive detection period allows businesses to evaluate substance history more thoroughly than shorter-window tests.
Hair follicle tests in Edwardsburg, MI are specifically designed to be tamper-resistant, reducing the chance of sample adulteration significantly.
The robustness of this method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, providing companies peace of mind.
Edwardsburg, MI benefits from convenient nationwide testing centers which facilitate quick, easy, and hassle-free testing services.
Localized centers bolster accessibility, allowing individuals and employers to conduct tests with minimal inconvenience.
In Edwardsburg, MI, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease.
The entire procedure, from ordering to receiving results, is designed to address privacy concerns efficiently while maintaining straightforwardness.
Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround, hair follicle testing in Edwardsburg, MI provides excellent value for companies of all sizes.
Businesses benefit from both affordability and peace of mind, optimizing their investment in workplace safety.
The hair follicle drug test in Edwardsburg, MI is known for its precision and speed. This method delivers fast and reliable results, ensuring high accuracy in detecting substance use.
Hair follicle testing provides consistent and dependable results, allowing employers to make informed decisions quickly.
Employers in Edwardsburg, MI, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
This method mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace safety through thorough substance detection.