Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent method for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive view of drug and alcohol consumption by encasing biomarkers in the strands of the hair as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair offers around a three-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat tough to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hairs (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered the optimal amount for initial testing and validation. For EtG, extra tests, or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, the equivalent amount of body hair is suitable. Mention of head hair pertains strictly to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about introducing a sample into a lab's system. This entails ensuring the sample's seal and proper shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a secondary validation.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at much lesser concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Positive screening results go through Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. The overall lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often tagged as "hair follicle tests," the assessment actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle tests offer comprehensive substance detection compared to traditional urine tests, especially in Angora, MN. The extended detection window allows employers and legal entities greater insight into a person's drug use history. Hair testing's resistance to tampering provides an edge over urine testing, ensuring more reliable results that are difficult to manipulate.
Hair follicle testing's extended detection window, up to 90 days, offers employers in Angora, MN a profound understanding of an applicant or employee's substance use history. This long detection period is unparalleled, giving a detailed glimpse into an individual's drug use patterns, unlike any standard testing.
Hair follicle tests are a formidable barrier against sample tampering, making them an excellent choice for reliable drug testing in Angora, MN. The stringent collection process and the robust nature of hair samples ensure that results remain unchanged and unquestionable, favoring a trusted testing environment.
With convenient locations in Angora, MN, and throughout the nation, our testing centers ensure quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services. This widespread accessibility means faster results and improved convenience for individuals and employers alike.
The hair follicle testing process in Angora, MN is simple and maintains confidentiality, mitigating privacy concerns. From ordering to testing and receiving results, every step is designed for ease of use, reassuring clients with a seamless and private experience.
Our drug testing in Angora, MN promises affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, offering excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from our competitive pricing structures that ensure timely and cost-effective drug testing solutions.
The hair follicle drug tests in Angora, MN offer rapid, precise, and reliable outcomes. Because of their high accuracy, these tests are adept at identifying substance use traces well beyond what urine tests can achieve. With quick processing times, they deliver peace of mind through trustworthy results.
Employers seeking compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Angora, MN will benefit from hair follicle testing. It minimizes legal risks and aids in maintaining a safe workplace, securing both compliance and confidence through stringent substance monitoring protocols.
