Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair examinations have gained recognition as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug ingestion by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair shaft. By collecting hair near the scalp, it can cover an estimated 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advocate weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a proportional quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we imply only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in the lab handling of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary entry of a sample into a lab’s system. This incorporates ensuring the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional information not included via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial swift examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in court. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening indeed need subsequent verification.
If a sample shows presumptive positive results in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves obtaining drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Verifying any positive Screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Advantages of Hair Follicle Over Urine Testing
For individuals and companies in Lyon Mountain, NY, hair follicle testing is a superior method for assessing comprehensive drug use history and ensuring workplace safety.
Unmatched Detection Window
In Lyon Mountain, NY, businesses benefit from this prolonged detection window, facilitating informed decisions about workforce integrity and safety policies.
Tamper-Proof Testing Method
Because of this robustness, hair testing is a trusted method in Lyon Mountain, NY for maintaining rigorous drug-free environments.
Accessibility through Local and Nationwide Centers
With local and national sites available, accredited testing is both effortless and efficient.
Easy and Private Testing Process
In Lyon Mountain, NY, this streamlined approach provides a reassuring testing experience for all involved.
Cost-Effective and Quick Turnaround
In Lyon Mountain, NY, our pricing structure and service speed deliver excellent utility and assurance.
Swift and Exact Testing in Lyon Mountain, NY
Hair testing's rapid turnaround further enhances its utility, with timely results reinforcing its dependability and effectiveness ahead of other methods.
Ensuring Compliance and Safety
In Lyon Mountain, NY, businesses gain peace of mind knowing their policies are supported by such reliable testing measures.
