Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-term evidence of substance use by ensnaring biomarkers within the filament of the expanding hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for substance use. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.
An ideal sample size for analysis and verification is obtained by taking a 1.5-inch segment of nearly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yielding around 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional components, or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, a larger sample size of 150mg is advised. It’s suggested to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If it’s not possible to obtain scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for assessing a drug test result primarily encompasses four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the sample's preliminary integration into a lab's system. This process includes ensuring the sample is appropriately sealed and shipped, allotting a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening conducts an initial, expedited examination for illicit substances. This phase is a cost-effective means to exclude drug use in most samples; however, a positive outcome must be corroborated to be legally defensible. Samples yielding a presumptive positive result in Screening require further Confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is readied for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from hair at markedly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most intricate method to perform.
Verification of any positive screening result occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The end-to-end laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug analysis:
Constraints:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair vs. Urine Testing: Hair follicle testing in Cambridge, OH surpasses traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, hair testing offers more reliable results.
Comprehensive Detection Window: Hair follicle tests in Cambridge, OH offer an extended detection period, reaching up to 90 days. This provides a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing: Hair follicle tests in Cambridge, OH drastically cut the risk of adulteration. The testing approach ensures the results are both reliable and unquestionable.
Accessible Testing Locations: With numerous testing centers nationwide, accessing hair follicle drug tests in Cambridge, OH is convenient. This ensures a quick, easy, and hassle-free experience.
Streamlined and Confidential: Hair follicle testing in Cambridge, OH offers a straightforward and private experience. Ordering, testing, and receiving results is streamlined.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Cambridge, OH provides competitive pricing for hair follicle testing with a quick turnaround. This ensures excellent value for companies of all sizes.
Fast Results with High Accuracy: Cambridge, OH's hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. They offer accurate detection of substance use, making them a preferred choice for reliable outcomes.
Employer Compliance and Assurance: By utilizing hair follicle testing, employers in Cambridge, OH ensure adherence to their drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks while boosting safety.
