Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Recognized as an effective instrument, hair testing is utilized for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. Hair retains a lengthy record of drug activity by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal up to around a 3-month timeline for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is easy, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping simplicity is a plus.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (roughly mirroring the size of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation processes. For tests like EtG additions and/or those beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It's recommended to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not accessible, the same quantity of body hair may be obtained. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The first step, Accessioning, involves integrating the sample into the lab’s system. This encompasses checking that it was correctly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any lacking data entry that isn’t captured by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is the initial evaluation for drugs of abuse. While this step is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive identifications must undergo further confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate subsequent validation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drug substances are drawn from hair at considerably lower levels compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the toughest method to conduct.
Confirmation follows any positive screen using protocols like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples identified as positive are washed before confirmation, as needed. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to reviews under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification along with ISO/IEC 17025 certification.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite common reference to "hair follicle tests", the actual examination pertains to the hair strand, excluding the scalp follicle.
Hair follicle testing distinctly outperforms urine tests in detecting substance use over more extended periods in Boston, NY.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, up to 90 days, offers a comprehensive substance history analysis in Boston, NY.
Hair follicle testing in Boston, NY significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering. Providing reliable results, this test is a favored option for accuracy and integrity.
Unlike urine tests, which can be easily adulterated, hair testing offers an inherent resistance to manipulation.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide centers with local accessibility in Boston, NY, ensuring a smooth and quick testing experience.
The hair follicle testing process in Boston, NY is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease.
Clients can be assured of secure handling and rapid service, all while maintaining discretion throughout.
In Boston, NY, we offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle testing, providing value.
In Boston, NY, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision. High accuracy improves confidence in the results provided, detecting substance use efficiently.
Results are delivered swiftly, supporting businesses and individuals in Boston, NY who seek timely and reliable outcomes.
For employers in Boston, NY, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.