Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for revealing drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use due to biomarkers being embedded in the strands as they grow. A hair sample taken near the scalp can provide approximately a three-month detection period for substances. This method is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the optimal sample for tests and confirmations. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those above 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be lacking, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. The term "head hair" is specific to scalp hair, while "body hair" pertains to all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample is initially processed within the lab's system. This involves checking that it was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to rule out substance use in many samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be legally admissible. Samples that suggest positivity in Screening necessitate further verification.
Should a sample show potential positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, substances are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other procedures (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug analysis the most intricate technique to carry out.
Confirmation of positive Screening results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples indicating potential positivity are cleaned as needed. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in West Carrollton, OH: Hair tests provide superior accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in West Carrollton, OH: Hair follicle testing excels in detecting drug use over an extended timeframe, up to 90 days, allowing employers to view a comprehensive substance history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in West Carrollton, OH: Hair follicle tests are notably hard to adulterate, yielding reliable results that can't be easily contested.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in West Carrollton, OH: With testing centers across the country, accessing our services is straightforward and convenient.
Simple, Confidential Process in West Carrollton, OH: The straightforward, confidential process ensures privacy, offering ease when ordering, undertaking, and receiving test results.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in West Carrollton, OH: We offer competitive pricing and quick result turnaround times, providing considerable value to companies of various sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in West Carrollton, OH: Hair follicle drug tests promise precision and speed, offering high accuracy in detecting substance consumption.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in West Carrollton, OH: Hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free policies, minimizing legal repercussions and boosting workplace safety.
