Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers, offering a long-term history of alcohol and other drugs. By collecting hair near the scalp, it can provide an approximate 3-month detection window for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily adulterated, and simple to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it refers strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a lab's system. This process includes checking the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Samples presumptively positive during Screening require additional confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Is Superior in Laurel, MT Hair follicle testing offers benefits over urine tests due to its extensive detection period and reliability.
Extended Detection Period Hair tests in Laurel, MT can track substance use back 90 days, offering employers comprehensive applicant or employee histories.
Anti-Tamper Testing in Laurel, MT Hair follicle testing minimizes sample tampering risk, providing solid and indisputable outcomes.
Accessible Testing in Laurel, MT With extensive centers countrywide, hair drug testing is convenient and streamlined.
Confidential Testing Process Our simple yet confidential testing service in Laurel, MT focuses on ease and privacy.
Cost-Effective Testing Solutions In Laurel, MT, we offer competitive prices and rapid turnaround times, ensuring excellent service value.
Effortless Results in Laurel, MT Hair follicle tests offer unparalleled precision in detecting substances, surpassing other methods in speed and accuracy.
Employer Compliance in Laurel, MT Utilizing hair follicle tests ensures adherence to workplace drug-free rules, diminishing legal liabilities.