Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair serves as a historical record for substances, capturing biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for identifying drugs and alcohol. The process of gathering hair samples is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch sample, consisting of approximately 200 hairs (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil), located closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, an optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it’s exclusive to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key phases in the lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample within a lab's system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening consists of a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples with a preliminary positive Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower levels compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair testing one of the most complex methodologies.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumed positive results are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the procedure examines the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why do hair follicle tests surpass urine tests in South Huntington, NY? Primarily, their superior detection accuracy and reliability make them preferable.
Benefits of hair testing include a longer detection window and reduced risk of adulteration, unlike traditional urine tests, which can be compromised more easily.
Hair follicle testing in South Huntington, NY reveals drug use history over an extended period of up to 90 days, providing an in-depth view of substance use.
This comprehensive detection window grants employers a clearer understanding of an individual's long-term substance history, enhancing decision-making capabilities.
In South Huntington, NY, hair follicle testing greatly minimizes the risk of sample tampering.
Its nature as a tamper-resistant method ensures that test results are reliable and unquestionable, meeting the needs of integrity-focused testing requirements.
In South Huntington, NY, our testing locations are conveniently spread Nationwide.
With an array of local centers, the ease of access to testing services minimizes hassle and ensures quick support for all needs.
We ensure a simple and confidential process for hair testing in South Huntington, NY, making ordering, taking, and receiving results effortless.
Addressing privacy and customer ease, we make the entire procedure straightforward, safeguarding our clients' personal information.
In South Huntington, NY, our hair testing services are marked by affordable pricing and swift turnaround times.
By offering competitive rates and quick results, we deliver excellent value and peace of mind for companies of all sizes.
In South Huntington, NY, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in detecting substance use is unmatched, providing confidence in test outcomes.
The efficiency of hair tests ensures that results are not only rapid but also exceedingly accurate, helping organizations make informed decisions quickly.
Hair follicle testing in South Huntington, NY offers employers compliance assurance with drug-free workplace policies.
This method reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety, providing peace of mind and security for business leaders.
