Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to obtain, not easily altered, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is advised. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. Regarding head hair, this refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This involves checking that the sample was securely sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of an initial swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal contexts. Any samples that are presumed positive in Screening require a further verification.
Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination is of the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Penns Grove, NJ, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in drug detection. Unlike urine tests, which offer limited detection windows, hair tests efficiently provide extended coverage. This increased detection period enhances reliability, making it the preferred choice for employers, courts, and probation officers, ensuring policies on drug use are upheld.
Employers in Penns Grove, NJ benefit from extended detection windows with hair follicle testing. This method enables a comprehensive review of substance use, covering up to 90 days. By providing a more detailed history of use, employers gain valuable insights into an individual’s drug use patterns, aiding in effective hiring and monitoring processes.
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution in Penns Grove, NJ. Unlike other methods, hair tests are extremely hard to adulterate, ensuring credible results. The collection process is observed, and the sample integrity is preserved with consistency, delivering trustworthy outcomes crucial for informed decisions.
With nationwide testing centers, including local facilities in Penns Grove, NJ, ease of access to hair follicle testing isn't just a promise—it's a reality. The convenience of being able to test in any city ensures fast and hassle-free service, meeting diverse geographical needs efficiently, allowing individuals to seamlessly conduct tests without disruption.
The hair follicle testing process in Penns Grove, NJ, is both simple and confidential. It is designed with user privacy in focus, ensuring tests are conducted smoothly, from order placement to result gathering. This user-friendly procedure reduces anxiety, allowing individuals to engage with the testing process comfortably.
In Penns Grove, NJ, the affordability and swift turnaround of hair follicle tests present excellent value. Our competitive pricing structure ensures cost-effectiveness for small and large businesses alike. With rapid result timeframes, organizations experience minimal testing-related downtime, balancing budget and efficiency.
Hair follicle drug tests in Penns Grove, NJ, stand out for their speed and accuracy. These tests are designed to deliver fast, reliable results, detecting substance use with precision. Turnaround times are quick, enabling users to receive their results with confidence. The efficiency in delivery makes the hair test an ideal choice for urgent testing scenarios.
For employers in Penns Grove, NJ, hair follicle tests provide compliance and peace of mind. Implementing these tests guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing potential legal issues. By fostering a safe working environment, these tests contribute to enhanced safety and security.
