Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair keeps a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of roughly up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section, consisting of about 200 hair strands (equal in size to a #2 pencil), taken from the scalp can produce 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it's advisable to use 150mg of the specimen. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. 'Head hair' indicates only scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' includes all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning incorporates the initial handling of a sample into the lab’s system, which includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any incomplete data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary check for drug abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Presumptively positive screenings call for a follow-up confirmation.
If positive in the Screening phase, more hair from the original sample is gathered for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex method to execute.
Any positive screening is confirmed through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under strict guidelines, including CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Frequently known as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair tests to urine tests in Audubon, PA, the former's superiority is clear. Hair testing offers enhanced accuracy and reliability, depicting a more comprehensive picture of substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Audubon, PA, covers drug use detection over an extended period, up to 90 days. This thorough assessment provides employers with a detailed overview of an individual's substance history.
The hair follicle testing method in Audubon, PA, is notably tamper-resistant. This ensures that samples are safeguarded from adulteration, yielding reliable and irrefutable results.
In Audubon, PA, the convenience of our nationwide and local testing facilities provides effortless access to services, ensuring a seamless and stress-free testing experience.
Ordering, undertaking, and receiving hair follicle test results in Audubon, PA, is a straightforward and confidential process, addressing privacy issues with ease and simplicity.
With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Audubon, PA, provide remarkable value and reassurance to businesses of various sizes.
Hair follicle drug tests are known for speed and precision. In Audubon, PA, these tests ensure rapid and reliable results, making them a top choice for accurate substance use detection.
Employers in Audubon, PA, gain assurance and compliance peace with hair follicle testing. It supports drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal issues while promoting a safe work environment.
