Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Allentown, NJ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures long-term indicators of substances by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair can unveil up to nearly a quarter-year period status for alcohol and drug usage. Hair is straightforward to obtain, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for sending.

A 1.5-inch portion encompassing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp should supply 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both the screening and confirmation stages. For EtG, supplementary assessments, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. The term 'head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair only. 'Body hair' encompasses other hair varieties (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the first stage of organizing a sample into a laboratory database. This process verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional information not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary evaluation to identify drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as an economical method for dismissing drug use in most samples, any positive results from this stage require confirmation before being legally admissible. All samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening level, additional hair is extracted from the starting specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity inherent in hair drug analysis.

Further investigation of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process prior to confirmation when needed. Every aspect of the laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption up to 90 days prior, compared to urine tests which have shorter detection spans.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test proves difficult, thereby ensuring more reliable results.
• Ability to trace drug usage history: It allows tracking of drug usage patterns over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: Detection in hair takes around 5-7 days for drugs to manifest.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair samples.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests," these evaluations actually assess the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Allentown, NJ Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests. The extended monitoring window of up to 90 days provides a more comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use.
This method is favored in situations requiring stringent drug usage policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Allentown, NJ Hair follicle testing monitors drug use for up to 90 days, offering a prolonged detection period. Employers benefit from gaining insights into an employee’s substance history, aiding in more informed hiring or disciplinary decisions.
The longer detection timeframe makes it a valuable tool for workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Allentown, NJ Hair follicle tests minimize the risk of sample adulteration compared to urine tests.
The robustness of these tests ensures consistent, reliable results, crucial for legally-binding or disciplinary processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Allentown, NJ With our testing centers spread nationwide, including Allentown, NJ, we guarantee quick and seamless access to our services.
Our clients benefit from hassle-free and easy testing procedures, enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Allentown, NJ The process for ordering, collecting, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple.
Maintaining confidentiality remains a core focus, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring user-friendliness throughout the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Allentown, NJ Our competitive pricing and prompt test results ensure excellent value for companies.
Our efficient processes cater to businesses of all sizes, providing peace of mind alongside superior testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Allentown, NJ The hair follicle drug test ensures precision and rapid results. High accuracy levels make it an ideal solution for detecting substance use.
Designed to identify various substances efficiently, these tests help employers make informed decisions swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Allentown, NJ Deploying hair follicle testing helps employers maintain drug-free workplaces, mitigating legal risks and promoting safety.
Ensuring compliance with workplace policies, it becomes an effective tool for maintaining a safe and productive environment.

Drug Testing Near Allentown, NJ

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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