Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol intake. Hair retains long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can provide a detection range of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional screenings, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is recommended. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. The term head hair exclusively refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair varieties (like facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This stage includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive finding must be confirmed to be legally valid. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation process.
If a sample returns a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives are washed as required prior to confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Richton, MS, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its extensive detection window and tamper-resistance make it a preferred method for employers and authorities alike.
Hair follicle testing in Richton, MS, excels with its extended detection window, offering insight into substance use over a period of up to 90 days. This comprehensive view aids employers in assessing an individual's substance history more effectively.
Hair follicle tests in Richton, MS, offer a tamper-resistant method that significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This provides organizations with reliable and unquestionable test results, ensuring integrity in substance testing.
With our nationwide and local testing centers in Richton, MS, accessing drug testing services is convenient and hassle-free. This network ensures quick and easy testing for all, without the stress of far travel.
In Richton, MS, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, focusing on ease of use and privacy. From ordering to receiving results, every step is streamlined to address any privacy concerns.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Richton, MS make hair follicle testing an affordable option for businesses of any size. Companies can benefit from excellent value and quick results for their testing needs.
Precision and speed are key benefits of hair follicle testing in Richton, MS, ensuring high accuracy in detecting substance use. Results are not only fast but also highly reliable, making hair follicle tests a top choice over other methods.
Employers in Richton, MS can enjoy compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing, as it helps uphold workplace drug-free policies, minimize legal risks, and enhance overall safety.
