Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the follicles of the growing hair strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equal quantity of body hair may be obtained. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary four steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step in inputting a sample into a lab’s system. It involves checking that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of concern. Although Screening is a cost-effective way to eliminate drug use on the bulk of samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be accepted in legal proceedings. Any samples that test positive in Screening need secondary validation.
If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in far lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining the complexity of hair drug testing as a methodology.
Any positive screening outcomes are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples tentatively identified as positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", this test specifically analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in Polk, OH, providing superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers a longer detection period, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of substance use.
In Polk, OH, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing effectively tracks drug use over a wide timeframe, up to 90 days.
Employers receive a holistic assessment of an individual’s substance history through this method.
The hair follicle testing method in Polk, OH is renowned for its resistance to tampering.
The integrity of the test sample is maintained, offering results that are highly dependable and difficult to dispute.
Convenience is part of our service in Polk, OH, with numerous nationwide testing centers guaranteeing smooth and swift access to necessary testing needs.
Local centers ensure hassle-free service delivery for all your testing requirements.
In Polk, OH, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential.
The workflow—from ordering to sampling and result acquisition—ensures privacy without complexity.
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Polk, OH ensure excellent value and prompt results for businesses of any size.
Offering affordability without compromising on quality or speed.
In Polk, OH, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, precise, and trustworthy outcomes. Their high levels of accuracy in spotting substance use outperform other methods.
High Precision ensures reliability, making them a top choice for organizations demanding thoroughness.
Employers in Polk, OH benefit from hair follicle testing as it aids in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
This reduces potential legal issues while enriching workplace safety.
