Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains extended-duration records of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When acquired proximal to the scalp, hair can yield a detection window for alcohol and drugs reaching up to about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for initial screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is advisable. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent mass of body hair may be sourced. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair. All other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.) are categorized as body hair.
Process Summary
The four pivotal procedures in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a sample within the lab’s framework. This procedure verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executes any additional data input not incorporated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening denotes an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally accepted. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary verification.
With a presumptive positive found in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for the Extraction phase. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening presents the most formidable challenge in terms of methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples testing presumptive positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the examination is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle embedded beneath the scalp.
In Alpine, NJ, hair follicle testing offers unparalleled benefits compared to urine testing.
Comparative Advantages:
In Alpine, NJ, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days.
Hair follicle testing in Alpine, NJ, minimizes the risk of sample adulteration.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations nationwide and locally in Alpine, NJ, for all testing needs.
In Alpine, NJ, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential.
Alpine, NJ businesses benefit from affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in hair follicle testing.
The hair follicle drug test not only ensures speed but also maintains high accuracy, making it a preferred option in Alpine, NJ.
With quick and accurate results, the hair follicle test stands out as a leading choice in the realm of drug testing.
Employers in Alpine, NJ, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing.
