Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has evolved into a crucial instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand, providing an extensive history of alcohol and drug intake. When collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch hair sample (about 200 strands, comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the perfect amount for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. For accuracy, a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is suitable. When addressing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to initiating a sample within a lab’s system. This involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry beyond what an electronic chain of custody system offers.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use on most samples, any positive screen must receive confirmation for court acceptability. Samples presumed positive in Screening demand a secondary verification.
Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation follows for any positive screening results via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the laboratory process is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards of accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Belvidere, NJ, is superior to traditional urine testing. The accuracy of hair tests is unmatched, providing reliable insights into an individual's drug use history, exuding more confidence in the results.
Employers in Belvidere, NJ, favor hair follicle tests for their extensive detection window, capturing drug use history for up to 90 days. This comprehensive view offers a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance habits.
Hair follicle tests in Belvidere, NJ, are nearly tamper-proof, ensuring reliable results. The reduced risk of sample adulteration offers confidence in the testing process and accuracy of the findings.
We provide convenient testing locations nationwide, including local facilities in Belvidere, NJ. Access to testing services is quick and hassle-free, making the process efficient and stress-free.
In Belvidere, NJ, ordering and completing a hair follicle test is straightforward and confidential. The process ensures privacy and ease, from taking the test to receiving results promptly.
In Belvidere, NJ, our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times offer businesses affordable options. The value provided ensures peace of mind for companies of all sizes.
In Belvidere, NJ, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speedy and precise results. The accuracy of these tests is unparalleled, making them a reliable choice for detecting substance use.
For employers in Belvidere, NJ, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and promotes a safer workplace, offering peace of mind.
