Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Over time, hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The hair captures a lasting record of substances by embedding biomarkers within its strands as they develop. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, an optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair may be gathered. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The procedure for processing drug test specimens involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab’s processing system. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipment were handled correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses supplementary data entry as required if not available through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening entails a preliminary swift test for drugs of abuse. Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples; however, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positive outcomes in Screening demand further validation.
Should Screening indicate a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for further preparation in the Extraction phase. This phase recovers drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening as a technique.
Confirmation of a positive screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing before Confirmation. The entire validation process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and meets ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation norms.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Widely called "hair follicle tests," these tests analyze the hair strand itself, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Howland Center, OH by providing superior detection accuracy and reliability. Extended Detection Periods allow for a more comprehensive review of drug use histories, unlike urine tests. Hair tests are notably resistant to adulteration, ensuring employers, and legal authorities receive uncontaminated and truthful results.
In Howland Center, OH, the effectiveness of hair follicle testing lies in its extensive detection window that reaches up to 90 days. This extended period gives employers a detailed overview of an individual’s drug use history, proving invaluable during the hiring process and routine employee checks.
Hair follicle tests in Howland Center, OH significantly diminish the likelihood of sample adulteration with their robust methodology. Their tamper-resistant nature ensures that results are reliable and unassailable, setting a high standard for drug testing integrity.
In Howland Center, OH, our network of convenient nationwide locations simplifies the testing process. Whether local or far-reaching, access to testing centers is hassle-free, facilitating swift and efficient screenings without inconvenience.
The straightforward and confidential hair follicle testing process in Howland Center, OH guarantees privacy. Ordering, undertaking tests, and obtaining results is uncomplicated and discreet, addressing privacy concerns and making the process user-friendly for participants.
Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing services in Howland Center, OH present excellent value. Businesses of all sizes benefit, enjoying peace of mind without substantial financial burden.
In Howland Center, OH, hair follicle drug testing offers exceptional precision and promptness in delivering results. Accuracy is a standout feature, as these tests detect recent and past substance use effectively. Coupled with rapid processing times, they provide highly reliable results that empower employers to make informed decisions swiftly.
Employers in Howland Center, OH gain peace of mind and compliance with drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. These tests reduce legal liabilities and bolster workplace safety, establishing a secure and law-compliant environment for all staff members.
