Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to approximately 90 days for both alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and uncomplicated to ship.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If no scalp hair is available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, this refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in processing a drug test in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step where the sample is entered into a laboratory's system. This task involves validating the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective means of excluding drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen demands confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positive samples in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If Screening suggests a sample is possibly positive, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a complex methodology.
Positive outliers from Screening are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptive positive undergo a washing step before confirmation. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Smithville, NJ, hair follicle tests have clear advantages over urine tests. Hair testing guarantees superior detection accuracy, offering a longer insight into drug use history. While urine tests detect recent use, hair tests ensure reliability with their comprehensive detection window, making them a preferred choice for employers with stringent policies.
Hair follicle drug testing in Smithville, NJ extends detection up to 90 days, providing employers with a detailed view of an individual's substance use history. Unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection time, hair testing covers a longer period, giving stakeholders a fuller picture of an employee's behavioral patterns.
In Smithville, NJ, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing offers reliable and unquestionable results. Unlike urine tests, hair tests reduce the risk of sample adulteration significantly. The methodology makes it nearly impossible to alter outcomes, ensuring trustworthiness and integrity in the process.
Smithville, NJ residents benefit from nationwide testing centers that offer quick, easy, and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing services. Our locations ensure that everyone has convenient options nearby, ensuring a seamless testing process for both individuals and businesses.
The hair follicle testing process in Smithville, NJ is simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the procedure addresses privacy concerns and ensures ease of use. Clients can trust in a streamlined process designed to protect their information while providing comprehensive results.
Our hair follicle testing services in Smithville, NJ boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround. This ensures that companies of all sizes can benefit from cost-effective solutions and timely results without compromising on the quality and accuracy of testing. It's an unbeatable value proposition for businesses.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests in Smithville, NJ are unmatched. These tests provide fast, reliable, and precise results, ensuring accurate detection of substance use. The methodology captures a comprehensive snapshot that urine tests can't match, making it ideal for ensuring workplace safety and compliance.
Employers in Smithville, NJ can rest assured knowing that hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By opting for this method, they can reduce legal risks and enhance safety. It provides peace of mind, as hair tests are reliable and difficult to bypass, aligning with zero-tolerance policies effectively.
