Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair assessments are now recognized as an effective approach for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drugs by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing in a laboratory involves four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary task of processing a sample within a laboratory's framework. This task includes ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry not completed by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a quick preliminary check for substances of abuse. While cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally admissible. Any samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening require further verification.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are drawn from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug testing.
Positive results in the Screening phase undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Youngstown, NY, the superiority of hair follicle testing over urine testing is clear. Extended detection compared to traditional methods means greater accuracy.
Hair tests outshine urine tests with enhanced reliability, offering more comprehensive substance abuse detection, reassurance for employers and officials.
Hair follicle testing in Youngstown, NY, presents a unique capability by detecting drug use over an extended window, up to 90 days, delivering insights into substance history.
Employers benefit from the broader view provided by hair follicle testing, securing a deeper understanding of applicant or employee substance use over time.
Hair follicle tests ensure tamper-proof results in Youngstown, NY, offering a method resilient against sample adulteration, instilling confidence in outcomes.
By choosing hair follicle testing, facilities in Youngstown achieve unmatched security, minimizing risks of result manipulation and providing peace of mind.
Effortless access to hair follicle testing is possible with widespread centers nationwide, including Youngstown, NY, simplifying drug screening for all.
In Youngstown, our network offers convenient testing, creating a hassle-free process for individuals and businesses seeking accurate results.
The process of hair follicle testing in Youngstown, NY, is straightforward and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use.
Ordering, performing, and obtaining hair test results is a simple process, designed to maintain confidentiality and user-friendliness for all participants.
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround, our hair testing services in Youngstown, NY, provide value for businesses, regardless of size.
With affordable hair follicle testing, companies enjoy excellent service value, courtesy of efficient pricing structures and prompt result delivery.
The swiftness and preciseness of hair follicle tests make them ideal for drug detection in Youngstown, NY. Accurate and trustworthy, these tests ensure reliable results in detecting drug use.
With hair follicle testing, you gain fast and precise results. In Youngstown, this method guarantees exact detection, confirming its reliability in identifying substance use.
Employers in Youngstown, NY, achieve improved compliance with drug-free workplace policies by using hair tests, promoting safety and reducing legal risks.
With hair follicle tests, employers ensure adherence to policies, promoting peace of mind while maintaining a safe work environment.