Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures lasting traces of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. With a sample taken near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period stretching up to roughly 3 months for various substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering with it is relatively challenging, and it's convenient for shipping.
A sample of 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equal to a #2 pencil's width) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. It's best to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent mass of body hair can be obtained. By "head hair," we specifically mean scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other varieties (such as facial hair, underarm hair, etc.).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a drug test in the lab entail Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, an initial assessment integrates the sample into a laboratory's system, ensuring it's received with intact seals and shipping. Each sample is allotted a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), with additional data entry completed as necessary absent an electronic chain of custody system.
In Screening, samples undergo a preliminary examination to rule out drug presence. Although Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, positive findings must be validated for legal admissibility. Those testing presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.
Should Screening yield a presumptive positive result, additional hair from the primary sample is readied for Extraction, wherein substance extraction occurs at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine, saliva), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.
Confirmation procedures for positive screens employ GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The complete lab process, spanning Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on the hair shaft instead of the subdermal follicle.
In Blakeslee, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests. Offering superior detection and reliability, hair tests reveal substance use over a much longer duration and are far more challenging to deceive than urine tests, making them the preferred choice for many.
Hair follicle testing in Blakeslee, PA, provides an extensive detection window, tracking substance use for up to 90 days. This offers employers comprehensive insights into a person's long-term drug habits, which is particularly valuable in assessing potential or existing employees.
In Blakeslee, PA, hair follicle tests are a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the chance of sample adulteration. These tests deliver reliable results that are hard to question, ensuring a higher level of integrity in the testing process.
Our testing services are convenient, with facilities available nationwide and locally in Blakeslee, PA. Accessing testing services is made simple thanks to our broad network of testing centers, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
In Blakeslee, PA, we ensure a simple and confidential testing process. From ordering to results, our procedure is designed to maintain privacy and ease, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and simplicity in drug testing.
Blakeslee, PA offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround for drug testing. Our competitive price structures and quick results delivery present excellent value, providing peace of mind for companies, no matter their size.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in Blakeslee, PA. These tests offer quick results, providing timely and precise detection of substance use. Their high accuracy in identifying drug use makes them an invaluable tool for employers and other agencies.
Employers in Blakeslee, PA can achieve higher compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer workplace environment.
