Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Blandon, PA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biological markers within the fibers of hair that is actively growing. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer coverage for detecting drug and alcohol use for about up to three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. In the context of head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily consists of four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This entails confirming that the sample has been appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a screen that tests positive must be confirmed for it to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Samples that test tentatively positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample tests tentatively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this process, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test tentatively positive are cleansed before confirmation, as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenges in deception: It is notably difficult to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal patterns of drug use over an extended timeframe, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Blandon, PA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can show recent usage, hair tests reveal a broader pattern, offering definitive insights into an individual's substance history.

This testing method greatly enhances accuracy and reliability, helping employers enforce strict drug-free policies with greater confidence than traditional testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

In Blandon, PA, one major advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, it can trace drug use up to 90 days back, offering employers a detailed view of their employees or applicants' substance use history.

This extensive timeframe stands apart from other tests, providing an all-encompassing picture of past behaviors which is crucial for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Blandon, PA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method to ensure the integrity of drug testing results. This approach significantly reduces chances of sample adulteration, providing reliable, unquestionable outcomes.

This heightened level of security gives employers peace of mind, ensuring results are accurate and trustworthy, critical in environments demanding stringent adherence to drug-free policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Blandon, PA, benefits from our nationwide network of testing centers, ensuring convenient access to hair follicle drug testing. This availability allows for quick, easy, and hassle-free testing services, adapting to the needs of various clients.

Offering both local and nationwide services ensures that accredited testing is always within reach, accommodating the diverse demands of our clientele.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Blandon, PA, is simple and confidential, addressing concerns about privacy and ease of use. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring user convenience.

Privacy concerns are carefully handled, ensuring individuals' information remains secure while the process remains effective and uncomplicated, enhancing user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability and quick turnaround times are key features of our hair follicle testing services in Blandon, PA. We offer competitive pricing, providing excellent value for companies of all sizes.

Our efficient processes ensure fast results, allowing businesses to make informed decisions promptly, which is vital for maintaining operational continuity and cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Blandon, PA provides fast, accurate, and reliable results that are hard to beat. Its high precision ensures effective detection of substances, affording much confidence and reliability compared to other testing methods.

This method not only provides quick results but also maintains a high level of accuracy in identifying drug or alcohol use, making it highly reliable for various applications.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Blandon, PA find peace of mind using hair follicle tests as they promote compliance with workplace drug policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, crucial for maintaining a productive and secure environment.

Implementing such testing methods ensures adherence to regulations and mitigates potential liabilities, strengthening the safety fabric of businesses.

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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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