Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal a prolonged history of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as the hair strand grows. When samples are collected near the scalp, hair provides an approximate three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 strands of hair (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any remaining data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial expeditious assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug usage in the majority of samples, any positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptive positive outcome in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample exhibit a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in Atlas, PA eclipses traditional urine tests. Its benefits include unmatched detection precision and reliability. Hair tests outperform by providing a longer detection period and greater resistance to tampering, ensuring superior accuracy.
Employers in Atlas, PA benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window. Spanning up to 90 days, it offers an extensive overview of a person's drug history, aiding in informed decision-making about prospective or current employees.
Hair follicle tests in Atlas, PA offer a tamper-resistant solution. The method significantly lowers the possibility of sample adulteration, delivering results that companies can trust as accurate and unassailable.
Atlas, PA residents enjoy the convenience of our nationwide testing network. With numerous testing centers, accessing drug testing services is quick, straightforward, and hassle-free, no matter where you are.
In Atlas, PA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, users experience ease at every step while ensuring privacy and security throughout.
Atlas, PA businesses benefit from competitive pricing and fast turnaround times with hair follicle testing. Our affordable rates and quick result delivery provide excellent value and assurance, suitable for companies of all sizes.
In Atlas, PA, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with swift and precise results. They excel in swiftly identifying substance usage, providing reliable and accurate data, making them an ideal choice for those requiring timely and trustworthy testing outcomes.
In Atlas, PA, hair follicle testing assures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. Employers gain peace of mind, knowing they are reducing legal risks and improving the safety and integrity of their workplace environment.
