Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bellefonte, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluation is emerging as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a longitudinal record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the evolving hair strand. When procured near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in diameter to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and exams exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is recommended. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent mass of body hair may be sourced. By following head hair, we denote scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all alternative hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The four chief phases in a lab's drug test result processing involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial task of assimilating a sample into a lab's system. This task includes verifying that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an immediate swift assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening remains a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug usage across most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

Presumptively positive samples from Screening require more hair to be extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at a concentration significantly lower than seen in other technologies (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which explains why hair drug analysis remains the most complex procedure to execute.

Verification of any positive screen outcome is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results receive washing before verification as appropriate. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Verification, is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extensive detection span: Hair drug analyses can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to deceive: Hair drug analyses are notably hard to manipulate, thus providing more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insights: It delivers a timeline of drug use spanning a period, rather than just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Detection in hair takes around 5-7 days post-drug use.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth discrepancies can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Transitioning from traditional urine testing to hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages in Bellefonte, PA. Hair testing provides greater detection accuracy and reliability, making it a superior method.

Hair follicle tests far outshine urine tests. They provide longer detection windows, capturing substance use that urine tests miss, enhancing effectiveness for employers and professionals alike.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Bellefonte, PA, provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days, making it significantly longer than urine testing. This comprehensive insight helps employers analyze an applicant or employee's substance history accurately.

The prolonged detection window of hair testing unveils trends in substance use, facilitating informed decisions. This method's broad time frame ensures a thorough evaluation.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the strongest advantages of hair follicle testing in Bellefonte, PA, is its resistance to tampering. The collection process substantially minimizes sample adulteration risks.

This testing method provides credible results that cannot be easily manipulated, reassuring employers with its unbeatable reliability in detecting drug use without errors.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Bellefonte, PA, nationwide testing centers ensure convenience and accessibility. Our locations allow for hassle-free, quick access to drug testing services.

Schedule your drug test at a nearby center and experience a smooth process. With extensive locations, finding a testing site is straightforward and stress-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Bellefonte, PA, is designed to be confidential and straightforward. Booking, taking the test, and receiving results are easy steps for anyone involved.

Our process prioritizes convenience and privacy, ensuring that your information is kept secure while you benefit from our simple, user-friendly testing protocol.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bellefonte, PA, we offer competitive pricing on hair follicle drug testing and rapid result turnaround, ideal for businesses of all sizes.

The cost-effective nature of our testing services, paired with fast and reliable outcomes, allows companies to confidently maintain safe, drug-free workplaces with minimal expense.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Bellefonte, PA, offer unmatched accuracy and quick results. Unlike urine tests, these tests capture a wider range of substances, providing precise insights into any substance use.

These tests are conducted swiftly, allowing for prompt feedback and accurate findings. The reliability in detecting even the smallest traces of prohibited substances sets these tests apart.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bellefonte, PA, choose hair follicle testing to adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method helps reduce legal risks and promotes safety at work.

Compliance with workplace regulations makes hair follicle tests a preferred choice, offering not just peace of mind but also an enhanced and secure work environment for all.

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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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