Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atlas, PA

What it is, How it works

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:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to compromise: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thus yielding more precise results.
• Chronological data: It can reveal a drug utilization trend over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

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.

Extended Detection Window

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.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

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.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

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.

Simple, Confidential Process

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.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

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.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

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.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

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.

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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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