Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The examination of hair is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a prolonged history of substances as it encases biomarkers within the strands of actively growing hair. When procured from near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate detection period of three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and effortless to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) located closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For tests like EtG add-ons and those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In instances where scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair might be utilized. “Head hair†exclusively refers to scalp hair, whereas “body hair†encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The quartet of primary phases in laboratory processing for drug test outcomes includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is concerned with the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary assessment for illicit substance use. Although Screening presents an economical means to disregard drug consumption in the majority of cases, a positive detection requires validation for court admissibility. Samples that yield presumptive positives in the Screening stage necessitate a secondary confirmation.
When a sample indicates a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is retrieved and readied for Extraction. In this phase, hair undergoes drug extraction at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening presents the most complex methodology.
Confirmation of any initial positive findings undergoes analysis using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and adheres to accreditation by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Pontiac, MO outperforms traditional urine tests in several ways. Primarily, its detection accuracy and reliability shine, offering superior drug testing solutions. Unlike urine tests susceptible to tampering, hair testing delivers consistent and accurate results.
By choosing hair testing over urine tests, individuals benefit from its longer detection window and the impossibility of adulterating the sample. This ensures a more comprehensive analysis of substance use histories.
In Pontiac, MO, hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection period of up to 90 days. This broad timeframe gives employers enhanced insights into a person's substance use history, making it invaluable in the hiring or evaluation process.
The longer detection window allows for a more complete assessment of patterns, undoubtedly providing a more thorough understanding of an individual's past drug use.
Hair follicle tests in Pontiac, MO significantly lower the risk of sample tampering. Their design ensures that the testing process is robust and credible, leaving little room for adulteration or misleading results.
Employers and authorities can rely on hair follicle testing to deliver unquestionable and authentic results, ensuring the integrity of the drug testing process is upheld.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenience with its nationwide and local locations, including in Pontiac, MO. This accessibility guarantees prompt access to essential testing services for everyone.
Our widespread network ensures that testing is straightforward and hassle-free, offering businesses and individuals simple solutions across numerous locations.
In Pontiac, MO, the process for hair follicle drug testing is both simple and confidential. It's designed to prioritize privacy and user-friendliness, from ordering the test to collection and obtaining results.
Concerns around privacy are alleviated with a straightforward process, ensuring confidentiality is preserved at every stage of testing.
Accredited Drug Testing in Pontiac, MO prides itself on offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair drug tests. Our structures ensure cost-effectiveness and reliability for businesses of all sizes.
The value offered through affordable rates and quick results allows companies to conduct essential testing without the burden of excessive costs.
In Pontiac, MO, hair follicle drug tests offer impeccable speed and accuracy. They provide a high precision level in detecting substance usage, ensuring that results are both fast and reliable. The method used for testing guarantees that one can swiftly identify substance consumption with near-perfect accuracy.
The high-quality process of hair testing delivers results that can be trusted in crucial situations, maintaining the test's integrity. It ensures timely and precise detection, setting a new standard in substance screening.
Using hair follicle testing in Pontiac, MO helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing potential legal risks. This testing method enhances overall workplace safety and security.
Employers gain peace of mind knowing their drug-free policies are backed by a reliable substance testing method, ensuring both compliance and a safe work environment.