Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jefferson Heights, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair provides an extended history of substance and alcohol use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection period for substances and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for both initial screening and follow-up confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or testing above 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. Head hair strictly refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process involves confirming that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for the presence of commonly abused drugs. Although Screening is a budget-friendly way to eliminate drug usage in most cases, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is gathered from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging testing method.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and holds accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection time frame.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is extremely challenging to outsmart a hair drug test, thus increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Provides historical data: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not just the most recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to reach a detectable level in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is superior to urine testing in Jefferson Heights, NY, due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests excel in identifying drug use with a longer detection window and a difficult-to-tamper-with sample collection process.

Extended Detection Window

Jefferson Heights, NY benefits greatly from hair follicle tests due to their extended detection period. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, these tests give a thorough view of an individual's substance history, aiding employers in hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Jefferson Heights, NY, significantly lowers the chances of sample tampering. The robust nature of hair samples makes them reliable and nearly impossible to adulterate, offering trustworthy results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide testing facilities, including those in Jefferson Heights, NY, makes accessing hair follicle testing simple. This widespread reach ensures quick and hassle-free testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

Offering a straightforward and confidential process in Jefferson Heights, NY, hair follicle testing streamlines ordering, collection, and result receipt. It reassures clients of both privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Jefferson Heights, NY, our hair follicle testing comes with competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. Providing excellent value, it's a cost-effective solution for companies of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Jefferson Heights, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. Known for their precision, these tests rapidly determine substance use with high accuracy. This ensures employers can make informed decisions quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Jefferson Heights, NY gain peace of mind and compliance through hair follicle testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, this testing method minimizes legal risks and promotes a safer working environment.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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