Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a prolonged record of substance use by trapping biological markers within its growing fibers. When hair is taken close to the scalp, it can indicate a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair sampling is easy to gather, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of hair is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair can't be sourced, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample in a laboratory’s framework. This phase verifies whether the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data input not addressed by an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening phase involves an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be considered valid in judicial environments. Samples that produce a presumptive positive result in Screening need secondary validation.
For any sample with a presumptive positive in the Screening stage, more hairs are taken from the initial sample and made ready for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most demanding to perform.
Confirmation of positive screens is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Plainview, NY, hair follicle testing clearly surpasses urine testing in both accuracy and reliability. Employers and legal bodies can enjoy enhanced detection capabilities, effortlessly identifying long-term drug use patterns. While urine tests can detect recent usage, hair testing offers a long-term view, minimizing discrepancies often present with traditional methods.
Due to its superior reliability, hair follicle testing has become the method of choice. Its high detection span provides a bird’s eye view into an individual’s habits. Unlike urine tests that only catch drug use within a couple of days, hair tests uncover substance abuse over three months, ensuring a decisive analysis for workplace or legal requirements.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, making it invaluable in Plainview, NY. Detection over such a prolonged period gives employers a comprehensive view of an individual’s drug use history, far beyond what is possible with shorter detection spans like those of urine tests.
This approach ensures that organizations can thoroughly assess the substance history of their employees or candidates. The ability to identify drug use over a significant time frame contributes significantly to maintaining a drug-free and safe working environment.
In Plainview, NY, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing makes it a powerful tool for reliable drug screening. Whereas urine samples might be adulterated, hair specimens are nearly impossible to alter, ensuring the trustworthiness of the results presented.
Organizations seeking unquestionable results will find hair follicle testing to be the perfect solution. It eliminates the uncertainties surrounding sample tampering, providing peace of mind and definitive outcomes, which are critical for making informed decisions in high-stakes environments.
Residents and employers in Plainview, NY, benefit from the convenience of nationwide testing locations, including local centers that simplify the drug testing process. Accessibility is a key feature, ensuring hassle-free and effective service for all testing needs.
The widespread availability of testing centers facilitates swift and efficient access to testing services, making it easy for individuals and organizations to schedule tests at their convenience, and with minimal effort required to find a location.
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from a hair follicle test in Plainview, NY, is simple and confidential. This reduces concerns over privacy and the complexity of the steps involved, ensuring a smooth experience for all parties.
By prioritizing ease of use and confidentiality, hair testing ensures that participants are comfortable and assured of the integrity of their data, removing barriers that may arise from complexities or transparency concerns associated with the testing process.
In Plainview, NY, the combination of affordable pricing and fast turnaround times offered makes hair follicle testing an attractive choice for businesses of any size. By balancing cost-effectiveness with speed, organizations receive excellent value.
Efficient processing enables businesses to maintain budget-friendly testing procedures while achieving quick, accurate results that support informed decision-making, safeguarding their workplace environment promptly and predictably.
In Plainview, NY, hair follicle drug tests boast exceptional precision. Known for their superior accuracy and speed, these tests quickly identify substance use, offering significant advantages over other testing methods. Individuals and businesses alike benefit from the quick results, ensuring informed decision-making based on reliable data.
Efficiency and reliability are at the forefront of hair follicle testing. These traits make it an ideal solution for organizations that require fast and accurate results to maintain compliance and safety standards, avoiding the lengthy wait times sometimes associated with other testing methodologies.
Employers in Plainview, NY, can count on hair follicle testing for ensuring compliance and peace of mind. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, reducing both legal risks and enhancing the safety of the workplace environment by reliably detecting long-term drug use.
The rigorous standards and reliability of hair follicle testing help maintain workplace integrity and safety, ensuring businesses remain compliant with industry regulations and protect their reputation while promoting a safer and healthier work environment.
