Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ardara, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug exposure by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of up to roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample containing approximately 200 hair strands (roughly resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and verifying. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is preferable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar amount of body hair might be acquired. "Head hair" denotes scalp hair solely, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test outcome consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially registered into a laboratory's database. This step includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplementary information not available electronically through a chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid for legal proceedings. Samples that test positive during Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample show a positive result at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology to conduct.

Verification of any positive screening finds is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Pre-confirmation, presumptive positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and accredited following ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which cover a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to tamper: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, yielding more reliable results.
• Tracks historical usage: It can show a timeline of drug usage over a duration, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent usage: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ardara, PA

• Hair follicle testing, compared to urine tests, offers superior detection accuracy.
• It provides a detailed view of substance use history.
• The reliability of hair tests surpasses traditional urine tests, ensuring better assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ardara, PA

• Hair follicle testing captures drug use history over a period extending to 90 days.
• This long detection window gives employers insights into an individual's substance habits.
• It ensures a comprehensive evaluation of applicants or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ardara, PA

• Hair follicle tests substantially lower the chance of sample tampering.
• This method delivers trustworthy results due to its reliability.
• Employers can confidently rely on its outcomes, thanks to its tamper-resistant nature.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ardara, PA

• Our extensive network of testing centers ensures service accessibility.
• In Ardara, PA, our locations provide effortless access to testing services.
• Clients experience quick and convenient testing processes with nationwide reach.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ardara, PA

• The hair follicle testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality.
• From ordering to receiving results, the process respects privacy concerns.
• Customers in Ardara, PA, appreciate the ease and security of use offered.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ardara, PA

• We offer competitive pricing structures for hair follicle testing services.
• Clients enjoy fast result turnaround, enhancing value for various companies.
• Our cost-effective approach provides quality and peace of mind to all customers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ardara, PA

• Hair follicle drug tests in Ardara, PA, are renowned for their speed and precision.
• These tests boast high accuracy in detecting drug use, offering trusted results.
• Employers and individuals benefit from their reliability in substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ardara, PA

• Hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• It mitigates legal risks and promotes safer working environments.
• Employers gain peace of mind with its use.

Drug Testing Near Ardara, PA

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Hahntown, PA

Irwin, PA

North Irwin, PA

Level Green, PA

Trafford, PA

Browntown, PA

Paintertown, PA

Larimer, PA

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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