Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for uncovering drug and alcohol usage. The strands trap biomarkers within the hair as it grows, providing a substantial historical record of substance use. When samples are taken from near the scalp, they can offer a detection window of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, not easily compromised, and convenient for transportation.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp results in 100mg, which is optimal for initial screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the hair sample. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" covers all other types (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug testing results involves four central steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially integrated into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample has been properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a rapid initial test to detect drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-effective means to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive result in Screening must be substantiated to be court-admissible. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive result require subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to different methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive outcome from Screening is pursued through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptively positive samples undergo a washing process as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle itself located beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lakeville, NY
In Lakeville, NY, hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window, identifying drug use for as long as 90 days. This extensive detection period offers employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use history.
With hair follicle testing in Lakeville, NY, the risk of sample tampering is greatly diminished. Its nature ensures that results remain reliable and beyond dispute, an asset for employers and legal settings alike.
Accredited Drug Testing offers not only local convenience but also has nationwide testing centers, making testing services easily accessible in Lakeville, NY. This coverage ensures a hassle-free testing experience anywhere across the country.
The process of hair follicle testing in Lakeville, NY, is simple and confidential. The procedure respects privacy while making the collection and results access straightforward for all users.
Lakeville, NY, benefits from affordable pricing and fast turnaround with our hair follicle tests. This ensures cost-effective testing solutions for companies, from small businesses to large corporations, without compromising on quality.
Hair follicle drug tests in Lakeville, NY, provide fast and accurate results, ensuring reliable detection of substance use. Their precision makes them an ideal choice for those needing definitive test outcomes.
The remarkable speed of analyzing hair samples for drug use is unmatched, offering quick results to meet urgent testing demands. This promptness, coupled with high accuracy, has made hair follicle testing the go-to method in Lakeville, NY.
Employers in Lakeville, NY, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle drug testing. The method helps maintain drug-free workplaces, aligning with legal requirements and promoting safety.
