Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kingsbury, NY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a prolonged timeline of substance use by encasing biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and narcotics. Hair is easy to gather, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For EtG add-ons and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. 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 processing a drug test in a laboratory; these include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system, involving the verification of the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completion of any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening carries out a preliminary swift evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening is an inexpensive method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening needs further confirmation to be accepted in legal settings. Samples with preliminary positive results in Screening need a secondary validation.

Should a sample show positive indications in the Screening stage, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at a considerably lower concentration than other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging approaches to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumed positive results are washed before confirmation when necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can spot drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to defraud: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, increasing the precision of the results.
• Delivers historic data: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kingsbury, NY

• Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection precision and reliability.
• It provides a more extensive view of drug use over time, capturing patterns missed by shorter window tests like urine samples.
• This enhanced method positions hair testing as the preferred choice for thorough examinations in Kingsbury, NY.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kingsbury, NY

• Hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection period of up to 90 days, allowing employers insight into a longer span of an individual's substance use history.
• This capability gives a comprehensive understanding, crucial for making informed hiring decisions in places like Kingsbury, NY.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kingsbury, NY

• Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, providing unquestionably reliable results.
• The testing process ensures authenticity and integrity, crucial for settings that demand accurate drug testing like Kingsbury, NY employers and law enforcement agencies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kingsbury, NY

• Accessing our testing services is hassle-free with our nationwide centers, including local options in Kingsbury, NY.
• This convenience ensures quick and easy access to efficient drug testing services, accommodating various client needs effectively across the country and locally.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kingsbury, NY

• We guarantee a straightforward and confidential procedure for ordering, conducting, and receiving test results.
• Designed to protect privacy, this simple process assures individuals and companies of a trustworthy experience, reinforcing confidence in our services within Kingsbury, NY.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kingsbury, NY

• Our competitive pricing paired with quick turnaround times ensures excellent value for companies of all sizes.
• Clients in Kingsbury, NY can rely on timely and cost-effective solutions, securing peace of mind through expedited, reliable drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Kingsbury, NY

• Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed in detecting substance use, surpassing traditional methods.
• Our Kingsbury, NY centers deliver swift, trustworthy results, ensuring accuracy that aids decision-making processes for employers and individuals concerned with substance use detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kingsbury, NY

• Through hair follicle testing, businesses uphold drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety.
• This method reassures employers in Kingsbury, NY with its reliable data and compliance with regulatory standards, fostering a secure work 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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